Husker Freshman Leads U.S. Amateur

Las Vegas ? While a Nebraska bowler leads the field at the U.S. Amateur Championships in Las Vegas, it is not two-time defending champion Shannon Pluhowsky, but a Husker freshman who is atop the field after three rounds of qualifying.

Amanda Burgoyne sits in first place after Thursday’s qualifying round with a total of 5,098 after 24 games (a 212.42 average). Burgoyne, the 2003 Minnesota Amateur Champion and two-time Junior Team USA member, took the lead by posting 1,648 on Thursday. The 18-year-old, who is making her third U.S. Amateur championship appearance, rolled games of 233, 220, 216 and 215 games to highlight her eight-game block and leads Lisa Duenow by 41 pins, as just 88 pins separate the top three bowlers.

Burgoyne is one of four current or former Huskers who breezed through three days of qualifying at Castaway Lanes. Burgoyne, Pluhowsky, who is in third place, Kari Schwager (sixth) and Diandra Asbaty (Hyman) (12th) all advanced to Friday’s match play competition, as the field was whittled from 101 bowlers to 24 at the end of Thursday.

"All of us have been doing very well," Burgoyne said after her qualifying round. "I am more confident and have developed more as a bowler than I was last year (when she placed seventh). I’m more experienced and that has helped me this week."

Pluhowsky, who is bidding to become the first-ever three-time U.S. Amateur champion, jumped from sixth to third after averaging 212.625 in her eight games. Her total of 5,010 puts her within striking distance entering match play.

Schwager and Atbasy both climbed in the standings on Wednesday. Schwager, a former Team USA member, jumped from 14th to sixth after averaging a 212.75 in eight games. She now has a total pinfall of 4,936 through 24 games. Atbasy climbed one spot from 13th to 12th and has a total pinfall of 4,879.

-- Huskers --