GREEN BAY, Wis. – Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, averaged over 245 Friday evening during Round 2 of qualifying at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Queens in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley.
The 2006 USBC Queens champion rolled games of 216, 279, 258, 238 and 238 for a five-game total of 1,229 and is at an overall total of 2,335 with one more qualifying round to go.
Jillian Martin of Stow, Ohio, is second with a 2,271 overall total, while Day 1 leader New Hui Fen of Singapore is third at 2,260. Colombia’s Juliana Franco (2,206) and 2023 PWBA Player of the Year Jordan Richard of Tipton, Michigan (2,202), are fourth and fifth, respectively.
Latvia’s Diana Zavjalova (2,176), Julia Bond of Aurora, Illinois (2,171), Liz Kuhlkin of Schenectady, New York (2,166), Singapore’s Cherie Tan (2,163) and Karsyn Lukosius of Jackson, New Jersey (2,162), occupy spots six through 10.
Defending champion Lindsay Boomershine of Brigham City, Utah, currently holds the 65th spot in the standings with 2,011, and would take the final spot in match play if she is outside the top 63. 63rd place is held by Jaclyn Coterel of New Carlisle, Ohio with 2,015.
Pluhowsky used her many years of experience to tackle the lanes today, as the left side played as she expected them to, with not a lot of transition from the fresh squad earlier.
“I knew one side of the alley hooked more so there weren’t many surprises on the lanes today,” said Pluhowsky. “Some new bowling balls and the ones I already had drilled helped kind of navigate that.
“I’m seeing the lane pretty well and feel good physically. Hopefully another steady day tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.”
Pluhowsky wasn’t the only one to shoot some high scores, as Bond shot the tournament’s first 300 game during Game 4 of the round and followed it up with a 266 to jump into the top 10.
“That’s probably the calmest 300 I’ve ever shot. After the ninth one, I knew I was going to get it, I felt really confident,” said Bond.
She had a good start on Day 1 but ended a little flat, which fueled her coming into Day 2.
“I think I had a chip on my shoulder after ending with a 150, and I’m not the type of person to say to bowl angry or anything like that, because that can go really bad, but it definitely motivated me. I think I’ll sleep a little better and not come in as angry tomorrow.”
Pluhowsky, Bond and the rest of A Squad will return for the final qualifying block Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern, while B Squad will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern. Both squads will be bowling on fresh oil as the match play cut will be made for Sunday, with the top 63 and Boomershine returning at 10 a.m. for double-elimination match play.
The final two remaining in the Winner’s Bracket will bowl each other for the No.1 seed for Tuesday’s live TV finals show, while the final four in the Elimination Bracket will bowl for the last three spots on the show.
The stepladder finals will begin Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network, where the winner will receive the coveted tiara and top prize of $60,000. All competition leading up to the televised finals will be streamed live only on BowlTV.
