Pluhowsky Wins USBC Queens title

RENO, Nev (USBC) - Shannon Pluhowsky of Lincoln, Neb., made four clutch shots down the stretch Wednesday as she defeated Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., to win the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Queens.

Pluhowsky, a three-time U.S. Amateur champion, threw four strikes to come from behind and steal a 203-178 victory from Johnson in the second championship match at the National Bowling Stadium. Pluhowsky defeated the top-seeded Johnson 228-210 to force the second match in the double-elimination format.

"This is another step in my bowling career," said Pluhowsky, a 23-year-old left-hander and six-time member of Team USA. "To beat a field of the best women bowlers in the world is just an incredible feeling."

Trailing most of the deciding match, Pluhowsky struck in the eighth frame and then watched as Johnson left a 6-7-10 split in the ninth frame. Pluhowsky stepped up and labeled three consecutive shots to clinch the victory.

"I was disappointed because I thought I made a good shot; it just jumped on me a little bit," said Johnson, a three-time Team USA member. "Maybe I could have made a better shot, but I just got it in a hair."

On the way to the title, Pluhowsky defeated fourth seed Dana Miller-Mackie of Albuquerque, N.M., 211-205. Needing just a mark to advance, Miller-Mackie left a pocket 6-8 split to hand the match to Pluhowsky, who then knocked off No. 2 Kim Terrell of Antioch, Calif., 180-169.

In the opening match of the stepladder finals, Miller-Mackie defeated Mandy Wilson of Dayton, Ohio, 216-197.

Pluhowsky took home $30,000 for first place in addition to the Queens tiara, pendant and crystal trophy. Johnson earned $18,000 for second.

The stepladder finals of the Queens, which is presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, is scheduled to be shown on July 1 at 11 a.m. (central) on ESPN.

 

2006 USBC QUEENS
National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev.

Match 1
Dana Miller-Mackie, Albuquerque, N.M., def. Mandy Wilson, Dayton, Ohio, 216-197 (Wilson finishes fifth, earns $7,500)

Match 2
Shannon Pluhowsky, Lincoln, Neb., def. Miller-Mackie, 211-205 (Miller-Mackie finishes fourth, earns $9,500)

Match 3
Pluhowsky def. Kim Terrell, Antioch, Calif., 180-169 (Terrell finishes third, earns $13,000)

Match 4
Pluhowsky def. Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 228-210

Match 5
Pluhowsky def. Johnson, 203-178 (Johnson finishes second, earns $18,000; Pluhowsky finishes first, earns $30,000)