GIRLS BOWLING: Spare Me: Oxford’s Megan Armbruster rolls to singles state championship
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ALLEN PARK — Moments after receiving her state championship medal, Megan Armbruster packed her bowling bag, hopped in the car and drove to an indoor soccer game.
Her dedication is one of the things that separates her from the rest of the pack and puts her in an elite status of high school bowlers in Michigan.
The Oxford senior capped a fine four-year career for the Wildcats on March 1-2, leading her team to the Division 1 state quarterfinals before winning the singles state championship at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park.
“I’m a busy person,” laughed Armbruster. “I’m always doing something.”
Enjoying success in bowling alleys and serving as Oxford’s starting goalkeeper in soccer are part of her duties. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love competing,” said Armbruster.
One could tell during the final day of the 2018-19 campaign.
After finishing 13th in the qualifying block of 60 state singles competitors, Armbruster advanced to the head-to-head singles competition and got on a roll with four straight wins. She defeated Taylor’s Abigail Bird (410-352), Flushing’s Evelyn Cano (368-285), Jenison’s Lauren Slagter (424-364) and St. Clair Shores Lake Shore’s Dani Decruydt (416-367) in succession to claim the school’s first individual state crown in the sport.
Armbruster became just the sixth bowler from talent-rich Oakland County — fifth in Class A/Division 1 — to win since the MHSAA adopted the sport in 2004 and the first from the Oakland Activities Association to win a singles state championship in girls bowling. There have been two boys from the OAA and Oakland County overall to win a singles state championship.
Megan Armbruster,
Oxford Senior
“It’s kind of surreal. I don’t think it has really sunk in yet,” said Armbruster. “I just wanted to make it to the (head-to-head) competition. I think anything can happen when you get there. I really felt good out there.”
Veteran Oxford coach JR Lafnear was not completely surprised in Armbruster’s state title.
The sure-fire All-State player averaged 206 in OAA play and helped Oxford to an OAA Red Division and Division 1 regional title this year. She was also a semifinalist at the Oakland County Championships and second at the regional singles competition among many notable performances.
As a junior, she placed seventh in the qualifying block and lost in the Round of 16 in the state singles competition as well as finishing third at the regional.
“She’s a terrific kid and just a great bowler,” praised Lafnear. “She had the second best average in the OAA this season and was one of the top bowlers in Oakland County all season. I am not surprised that she got on a little bit of a roll and captured the singles title. She deserved it. She’s a very consistent bowler.”
“You know when it comes to picking up a spare, she’s the best,” continued Lafnear. “Nobody picked up more spares than Megan.
Armbruster was called up to varsity late in her freshman campaign and was part of four state-ranked and state qualifying teams during her career, including the Division 1 team state championship as a junior.
As a sophomore, Oxford finished as the team Division 1 state runner-up. The Wildcats were also 11th in Armbruster’s freshman campaign. She was 25th as a sophomore as a singles state qualifier and placed ninth at the regional that season.
“It’s an amazing feeling, being a state champion,” added Armbruster. “We have never had one before at Oxford. To be the first is a great feeling. I am sad that it is over now. Its been a fun (four years).”
Category: Bowling, BWW Athlete of the Week, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, NOS reference, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Sport, Top Stories, Uncategorized
