Pluhowsky Reaches Quarterfinals at Bowling World Cup

Tegucigalpa, Honduras ? University of Nebraska bowler Shannon Pluhowsky (Phoenix, Ariz.) continued her quest for her second straight Bowling World Cup title, reaching the quarterfinal round Thursday afternoon.

Pluhowsky, the two-time U.S. Amateur Champion, is the tournament's No. 2 seed after finishing Thursday's competition with a pinfall of 7,060 (220.63 average). Pluhowsky totaled 2,666 pins during her 12 games on Thursday for an average of 222.17 pins per game.

Pluhowsky, who is bidding to become only the second repeat champion in the event's 39-year history, will square off with Ann Maree Putney in the quarterfinals Friday morning. The winner will advance to Saturday's semifinals, with the championship round set for late Saturday.

"I think that after having been the top seed last year, I will be a little more relaxed in the head-to-head matches this time," Pluhowsky said. "We're all pretty equal in talent and skill, so it should be a good competition."

Marie Ramirez of Costa Rica, who has led after each round, heads into the quarterfinals as the top seed. She compiled a 32-game total pinfall of 7,313 pins and a 228.53 average and will face the No. 8 seed, Martina Beckel of Germany, the 1992 Bowling World Cup champion.

Completing the top eight are Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia, Kerrie Ryan-Ciach of Canada, Tere Piccini Healey of Mexico and Jojo Canare of the Philippines.

39th AMF World Cup, Planeta Sipango, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Standings after 32 games, top eight advance ? Women: 1, Marie Ramirez , Costa Rica, 7,313 pins, 228.53 average. 2, Shannon Pluhowsky , USA, 7,060, 220.63. 3, Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia, 6,973, 217.91. 4, Kerrie Ryan-Ciach, Canada, 6,947, 217.09. 5, Tere Piccini Healey , Mexico, 6,899, 215.59. 6, Jojo Canare, Philippines, 6,755, 211.09. 7, Ann Maree Putney, Australia, 6,753, 211.03. 8, Martina Beckel, Germany, 6,724, 210.13.