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Riga, Latvia -- University of Nebraska bowler Shannon Pluhowsky became the first American female to win the Bowling World Cup in 12 years, downing England's Nikki Harvey, 2-0, in the championship match Saturday in Riga, Latvia.
Pluhowsky, the top seed after qualifying, won the best-of-three championship by sweeping the first two games, 224-165 and 202-183. The 20-year-old from Phoenix, Ariz., advanced to the championship match earlier Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Pascale Moynot of France, the No. 3 seed, 204-176, 221-253, 225-211.
The reigning U.S. Amateur champion, Pluhowsky led the tournament from the opening day of qualifying last Sunday and becomes only the fifth American female, and first since Linda Graham in 1990, to win the Bowling World Cup. The title marks Pluhowsky's third major international championship of the year, as she captured the Masters titles at the American Zone Youth Championships in Costa Rica and at the World Youth Championships in Thailand earlier this summer
"I just wanted to take this tournament one round at a time," said Pluhowsky, who led from wire to wire. "I'm excited that I won for my country. I hope this will give other bowlers something to shoot for -- and I hope that I'll be back next year to shoot for it again, too."
At Nebraska, Pluhowsky is a two-time All-American and was the national collegiate female bowler of the year as a freshman, helping the Huskers to their second national title since the sport began in 1997. She will be back in time for the Huskers' next tournament, the Brunswick Southern Classic at Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 2-3.
The AMF Bowling World Cup will be shown on a tape-delayed basis around the world at dates to be announced. Matchroom Sport of England is handling filming, production and distribution of the tournament.
38th AMF Bowling World Cup, Riga Latvia, October 19-26
Championship results (best-of-three-games matches):
#1 Shannon Pluhowsky, USA, def. #7 Nikki Harvey, England, 2 games to 0 (224-165, 202-183).
Semifinal results (best-of-three-games matches):
#7 Nikki Harvey, England, def. #5 Amanda Bradley, Australia, 2 games to 1 (216-170, 248-278, 238-194)
#1 Shannon Pluhowsky, USA, def. #3 Pascale Moynot of France, 2-1 (204-176, 221-253, 225-211)