Pluhowsky Finishes Second at Bowling World Cup

Tegucigalpa, Honduras - University of Nebraska bowler Shannon Pluhowsky (Phoenix, Ariz.) fell one game short in her quest to repeat as Bowling World Cup champion, falling to Canada's Kerrie Ryan-Ciach in the championship match Saturday evening at the Planeta Sipango Bowling Center in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Pluhowsky, who was seeking to join Australia's Jeanette Baker (1982-83) as the only bowlers to ever win consecutive titles in the event's 39-year history, fell to Ryan-Ciach in two games, dropping a 210-160 decision in game one before Ryan Ciatch clinched her first title with a 234-225 victory in game two.

"I never really got lined up in that first game and that was my challenge,"Pluhowsky said. "I'm happy with second, especially knowing I didn't bowl my best." Pluhowsky, the No. 2 seed after qualifying, continued her match-play success earlier Saturday, sweeping Jojo Canare of the Philippines, 2-0 (214-203, 218-212) to advance to the finals.

"The semis were two of the better games that I have had this week, but that last match, it just wasn't real,"Pluhowsky said.

In the other semifinal, Ryan-Ciach, the No. 4 seed entering head-to-head play, upset top-seeded Marie Ramirez of Costa Rica, 2-1 (237-236, 195-197, 215-211), setting up the all-North American final.

The Bowling World Cup, considered to be the premier event in amateur bowling, caps a busy off-season for the Husker bowler, who is currently the two-time United States Amateur champion. Earlier this summer, Pluhowsky, a two-time All-American and 2001 College Bowler of the Year, competed in the Pan American Games, winning gold (singles) and silver (doubles) medals.

Pluhowsky and Coach Bill Straub, who accompanied Pluhowsky to Honduras, will return to the U.S. late Sunday to begin preparing for the Huskers' first season of NCAA-sanctioned play. Women's collegiate bowling became the NCAA's 88th championship last spring with the first championship scheduled for April 8-10, 2004.

"I am just looking forward to having fun and a successful first year in NCAA competition,"Pluhowsky said. "I'll go back to school now and practice with my team and I intend to come back because I intend to compete with Team USA every year.

The Husker bowlers are currently in training for their season opener, the Brunswick Southern Classic, which is scheduled for Nov. 1-2 in Atlanta. Pluhowsky, who took a redshirt season in 2002-03, leads a talented group of bowlers, as the Huskers will look for their sixth national title and third since becoming a varsity sport at Nebraska (also 1999 and 2001).

2003 AMF Bowling World Cup
Finals
#4 Kerrie Ryan-Ciach, Canada defeats #2 Shannon Pluhowsky, USA
2 games to 0: 210-160, 234-225

Semifinals
#2 Shannon Pluhowsky, USA defeats #6 Jojo Canare, Philippines
2 games to 0: 214-203, 218-212

#4 Kerrie Ryan-Ciach, Canada defeats #1 Marie Ramirez, Costa Rica
2 games to 1: 236-237, 197-195, 211-215