Wrapping up another successful season for Oxford’s bowling program, two students became among the few Wildcats to ever receive first team All-State honors in their sport. Junior Megan Armbruster, an individual state champion, and junior Luke Acton received the honors last week.

One of the point powerhouses on the girls team this season, Armbruster made history earlier this month by becoming the first Wildcat bowler to earn a state title in singles bowling. She is also only the second Lady Cat to go first team All-State in bowling, went first team in the OAA conference and earned an OAA scoring award.

Aside from her athletic accomplishments, Armbruster was named a first team All-State Academic as well. “Megan has had a magical season,” Head Coach JR Lafnear said. “She did a lot of off-season work and it really paid off for her. She has great leadership abilities and an outstanding competitive drive to succeed on and off the field.”

Like Armbruster, Acton is only the second male bowler to go first team All-State in the program’s history. One of the driving forces behind the state runner-up boys team, Acton also went first team in the OAA conference and was the OAA’s high average scorer.

“(Luke) really earned this with hard work and desire,” Lafnear said. “He is always doing everything he can to make himself and his teammates better.”

Several of Oxford’s boys earned state and conference accolades alongside Acton. Austin Couch, a senior, went All-State Academic and sophomore Collin Massie went first team in the OAA conference.

In the OAA second team is junior Zach Barrows and sophomore Tony Verbeke. Juniors Justin Powell and Justin Sisson both went to the OAA’s third team and earned series scoring awards.

As for the ladies, senior Claire Sandstrom joined Armbruster in the first team of the OAA conference. Sandstrom also earned an OAA scoring award. Sophomore Grace Meyer went the second OAA team and junior Mya Bruno went to the third.

The winter season was a successful one for the program, with the boys finishing second in the state and the ladies taking fifth, and Lafnear couldn’t be prouder of his teenage athletes.

“The kids were so dedicated and worked hard to achieve this season’s honors… The hours of practice and learning more about this game paid off. I know they will work just as hard this off-season, and I can’t want until next season starts,” he said.