Miller Leads Husker Bowlers at U.S. Amateurs

Dallas, Texas -- The 2005 U.S. National Amateur Championships kicked off Monday afternoon at the Don Cater All-Star Lanes West in Dallas.  Adrienne Miller (Albuquerque, N.M.) tops the five current Husker bowlers competing for a spot on the 2005 Team USA roster.  She stands in sixth place through eight games with a 203.25 average. 

Three-time U.S. Amateur champion Shannon Pluhowksy (Pheonix, Ariz.), is in 12th place with a 200.375 average and a pinfall of 1,603.  Pluhowsky has an opportunity to become the first athlete to ever win four consecutive U.S. Amateur national titles and has been a member of Team USA since 2001.

According to Head Coach Bill Straub, who is in Dallas, everyone is still in the running, as competition continues Tuesday with eight more games of qualifying.   

"There is still three full days of competition remaining before the field is cut to the top 24 and really it is still anyone’s game."

Other Nebraska bowlers competing include 2004 Team USA member, Amanda Burgoyne (Newport, Minn.), who is in 28th place with an average of 189.25.   Junior Jamie Martin (Omaha, Neb.) is in 24th place averaging a 190, and freshman Lindsay Baker (Amherst, N.Y.) is averaging a 173.5 and is in 66th place through eight games.

"Lindsay had a hard first day.  She had some confusion with her equipment and also her aligment,"  said Straub.  "She still has has a shot to turn things around, but it will take a lot of determination.  The other four bowlers are in good shape."

Monday January 10
Qualifying through first eight games:

Bowler                         Pinfall  Avg      Standing
Adrienne Miller               1,626    203.250             6th
Shannon Pluhowsky       1,603    200.375             12th
Jamie Martin                  1,520    190.000             24th
Amanda Burgoyne         1,514    189.250             28th
Lindsay Baker               1,388    173.500             66th