Pluhowsky Moves into Lead at U.S. Amateur

Las Vegas ? University of Nebraska bowler Shannon Pluhowsky moved closer to an unprecedented third straight U.S. Amateur title Friday evening in Las Vegas.

The Phoenix, Ariz., native averaged a 218.625 during eight games of match play to move past fellow Husker bowler Amanda Burgoyne into first place. Pluhowsky went a perfect 8-0 during the first day of match play, including games of 263, 230 and 228. She has a total pinfall of 6,919 (211.22 average) after 32 games, as each win in match play also gives a bowler 20 additional pins.

"Shannon shot lights out tonight," Nebraska Coach Bill Straub said. "Because of all that she has accomplished in the sport, there is a lot of pressure on her, and she has handled it well all week and is in good position for a third straight national title."

Burgoyne, who led after Thursday’s qualifying round, also turned in a strong performance on the first day of match play, going 5-3 with an average of 206.625. She sits in second place with a total of 6,851 pins entering the final day of competition on Saturday.

"As well as Shannon bowled, it overshadowed Amanda’s performance tonight," Straub. "I thought Amanda bowled exceptionally well and has had a great tournament. Amanda is wise beyond her years in shot making, and we’re hoping she can finish strong tomorrow."

With eight spots on Team USA up for grabs (top five earn automatic status while three additional spots will be determined at the end of the tournament), the four current or former Huskers are all in good position to snare national team spots.

Former Huskers Kari Schwager and Diandra Asbaty (Hyman) sit in fourth and sixth place, respectively, entering Saturday. Schwager, who is bidding for her second Team USA spot, went 5-3 on Friday and has a total of 6,661 pins, while Asbaty, the 1999 U.S. Amateur champion and five-time Team USA member, is in sixth place with a total of 6,636 pins after a 6-2 effort on Friday.

"As a group, they have really done a terrific job all week," Straub said. "If they can replicate their performances from today, I think all four will be on Team USA, but they are off to a great start.

The competition concludes tomorrow evening, with the final eight games and the awards presentation.

-- Huskers --