Ohio bowler celebrates 50 years at 2026 USBC Open Championships
March 18, 2026
Pictured above (from left): Rusty Groner and Joseph Gummo
RENO, Nev. – Making his 50th appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Monday, Rusty Groner of Elyria, Ohio, walked down the famed center aisle at the National Bowling Stadium alongside his friend and longtime teammate Joseph Gummo.
The 72-year-old was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the event, and he joined Robert Stoudt Jr. of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, in being the first to reach 50 years at the 2026 event.
During his early years at the tournament, Groner had the chance to compete alongside his father, something he still treasures today. As a child, he remembers watching his dad bowl in three leagues each week – an experience that helped spark his own lifelong passion for the sport.
Groner made his debut at the Open Championships during the 1974 event in Indianapolis when his local association chartered a bus and made the trip to the tournament together.
“Being my first one, it was pretty awesome walking down the aisle there,” Groner recalled.
After competing across the country over five decades, one destination stands out the most to Groner – El Paso, Texas (2015). It was largely because of the food. In particular, he still raves about the steak at Cattleman’s Steakhouse, which he calls “the best steak ever.”
The team he bowled with this year represented more than 150 combined years of Open Championships experience. In addition to Groner’s 50 years, he was joined by Keith Muskiewicz (42 appearances), Gummo (30), Marc Chappo (19) and Kevin Muskiewicz Sr. (14).
“Kevin, Keith and I started bowling together in youth leagues and have probably been bowling together for 60 years,” Groner said.
Over 50 appearances Groner has knocked down 81,076 pins, giving him a career average of 180.1 at the Open Championships.
In addition to his success at the tournament, Groner also is a member of the Elyria (1999) and Greater Lorain (2002) USBC Halls of Fame.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
RENO, Nev. – Making his 50th appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Monday, Rusty Groner of Elyria, Ohio, walked down the famed center aisle at the National Bowling Stadium alongside his friend and longtime teammate Joseph Gummo.
The 72-year-old was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the event, and he joined Robert Stoudt Jr. of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, in being the first to reach 50 years at the 2026 event.
During his early years at the tournament, Groner had the chance to compete alongside his father, something he still treasures today. As a child, he remembers watching his dad bowl in three leagues each week – an experience that helped spark his own lifelong passion for the sport.
Groner made his debut at the Open Championships during the 1974 event in Indianapolis when his local association chartered a bus and made the trip to the tournament together.
“Being my first one, it was pretty awesome walking down the aisle there,” Groner recalled.
After competing across the country over five decades, one destination stands out the most to Groner – El Paso, Texas (2015). It was largely because of the food. In particular, he still raves about the steak at Cattleman’s Steakhouse, which he calls “the best steak ever.”
The team he bowled with this year represented more than 150 combined years of Open Championships experience. In addition to Groner’s 50 years, he was joined by Keith Muskiewicz (42 appearances), Gummo (30), Marc Chappo (19) and Kevin Muskiewicz Sr. (14).
“Kevin, Keith and I started bowling together in youth leagues and have probably been bowling together for 60 years,” Groner said.
Over 50 appearances Groner has knocked down 81,076 pins, giving him a career average of 180.1 at the Open Championships.
In addition to his success at the tournament, Groner also is a member of the Elyria (1999) and Greater Lorain (2002) USBC Halls of Fame.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.