Shannon Pluhowsky

Shannon Pluhowsky (born August 8, 1982) is an American left-handed ten-pin bowler who competes in the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) and internationally. Pluhowsky is a 24-time member of Team USA (2001–2021, 2024–2026), and a former four-time member of Junior Team USA (2000–2003). Pluhowsky has won 11 professional championships, including major wins at the 2006 USBC Queens, the 2014 BPAA Women's All-Star, and the 2021 and 2025 PWBA Tour Championship events.

Early life and college career Pluhowsky was born on August 8, 1982, in Phoenix, Arizona. Before her successful professional career she had a successful amateur and college career. When she was younger she was a three-time Junior Gold Champion and a USOC World Bowler of the Year in 2004. She bowled at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln under coach Bill Straub who is credited for Pluhowsky's impeccable left-handed form. She sports a big push-away and a straight and loose arm swing with a textbook finishing position. She will still consult Straub to this day if she is struggling with her form.

At Nebraska, Pluhowsky was a first-team All-American in three of her four seasons, and second-team All-American in the other season. She was NCBCA Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in the 2001–02 season, and was awarded Player of the Year again in the 2004–05 season. Shannon won the Intercollegiate Singles Championship in 2004, and her Nebraska team won two NCAA Bowling Championships (2004 and 2005).

Career accomplishments and accolades under Team USA

One gold medal (team), one silver medal (all-events) at the IBF World Championships in Hong Kong.

Looking to repeat as champion in the 2022 PWBA Tour Championship, Pluhowsky qualified as the #1 seed but was defeated in the championship match by #3 seed Stephanie Zavala.

On May 4, 2024, Pluhowsky won the PWBA GoBowling! Twin Cities Open in Eagan, Minnesota. Having qualified as the #1 seed, she beat #5 seed Verity Crawley in the final match to earn her third PWBA Tour title. On June 4, Pluhowsky won her fourth PWBA Tour title, and second of the 2024 season, at the PWBA Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tennessee. Pluhowsky finished the 2024 PWBA Tour season second in average, third in points and third in earnings.

On August 9, 2025, Pluhowsky won the PWBA Pepsi Open in Gates, New York, defeating Hall of Famer Liz Johnson in the final match. Gaining her fifth PWBA Tour title with two of them majors, Pluhowsky is now title-eligible for the PWBA Hall of Fame. Three days later (August 12), she won the PWBA Tour Championship for the second time, defeating Verity Crawley in the final match. This is her sixth PWBA title and third major.

On May 30, 2026, Pluhowsky won the PWBA BowlTV Open. As the top seed, she defeated Julia Bond in her lone finals match to earn her seventh career PWBA title.

Pluhowsky's other three professional titles came in the PBA Women's Series, which ran from 2007 to 2010. She posted a 250.7 average over 71 games during the Inland Owls league at Capri Lanes in Kettering, Ohio.

Personal Pluhowsky is married to massage therapist Carrie (Bland) Pluhowsky as of July 2021. Shannon and Carrie each have children from previous relationships. The couple now resides in Dayton, Ohio.