The 27-year-old averaged 215 in the Dayton Hall of Fame Sport League at Capri Lanes. Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., (216) and Adam Jablonski, Sterling Heights, Mich., (218) won their respective youth divisions while Skip Pavone, San Jose, Calif., rounded out the honorees in the men’s category with a 229.
“I didn’t know people were recognized for high averages in these leagues, and I didn’t know I had the high average until I got the phone call,” Pluhowsky said. “But it’s a great honor because these leagues are definitely challenging.”
Pluhowsky’s scores are a testament to just how tough a sport shot can be. The nine-time Team USA member rolled 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 series during the course of the season.
“Your mistake room is minimal and there’s not near as much forgiveness if you throw a bad shot,” she said.
Shooting for spares is the rule, not the exception, in sport leagues.
“You are shooting more because you are leaving more pins,” Pluhowsky said. “And it’s not just single pins, it’s stuff that’s a lot harder to make.”
But the frequently frustrating sport leagues aren’t about scoring.
“You use your other leagues if you’re looking to bowl high scores,” Pluhowsky said. “You use this league to learn.”
Pluhowsky’s lessons have paid off. She recently clinched back-to-back PBA Women’s Series titles by defeating Liz Johnson in the 2009 PBA Scorpion Championship. And the Kettering bowler was recently named to the 2010 Team USA squad.
“I use these kinds of leagues as practice for pro tournaments,” she said. “It makes you a better bowler — a smarter bowler.”
Dayton Open
Indianapolis bowler Dan Freeman edged Rick Hale of Wilmington by a single pin, 190-189, to win the 12th Annual Dayton Open on Nov. 29 at Beaver-Vu Bowl.
Several Miami Valley bowlers rolled their way into the tournament top 20. Demetri Zavakos finished third, and Bob Kelly and Ron Profitt snagged the 15th and 16th-place spots, respectively, from the competitive regional field.
Contact this writer at djunie@aol.com.
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