Local bowlers Isaac Vidaurri and Frank Goff Jr. recently finished in third place (with an overall score of 1,193) in the Classified Doubles division of the 2010 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships recently held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada.

An excellent showing when you consider that the event – which began on February 20 and concludes July 5 - will see 14,189 bowlers come through it.

“When they interviewed us for a story, they said there was a pretty good chance we were not going to drop,” Goff said.

Goff struggled at first bowling a 164 but augmented his scores to 231 and 252 and eventually took the lead with a 647 series. Vidaurri bowled games of 186, 200 and 160 for a final 546. Those performances were a huge step up from the duo’s previous trip to the same venue (back in 2007) when they finished in 16th place with a 1,181 total.

The team - which debuted at an event in Corpus Christi in 2006 – routinely hone their skills through bowling league competitions at the Naval Air Station-Kingsville center.

This is the fifth year in a row that Goff and Vidaurri have participated in this event. They did very well in their first USBC (2006) despite being new to the stage. Back then, Vidaurri tallied a 1,577 overall and Goff scored a 1,659.

“It was exciting because I had never been there,” Goff said of that first trip. “Actually that year, I did better then I did this time overall. Individually and in doubles, with my partner, is where I have excelled more in the last couple of years.”

Goff said both his physical and mental games have become better with each successive trek to the USBC.

“The have both gradually improved,” Goff said. “Overall, I have learned to cope with the pressure of all the competition by focusing on one game at a time.”

Throwing down against the best in the nation always has Goff circling the upcoming dates on his calendar.

“I can’t wait for it to show up because this is the biggest event of the year,” Goff said. “You’re competing against the best bowlers in the country.”