Oxford has had an MHSAA sanctioned bowling team for just one season, but in that inaugural year, the Charger girls qualified for Thursday’s State Championship.

The team knocked off DeSoto Central, winning 1865 to 1815 in regionals earlier this month to advance to the team’s first state championship.

“We benefitted just from some luck. The kids we had available were just good,” coach Ryne Bankston said. “The girls have invested in themselves and the school has invested in the program. It’s really worked out pretty quickly. They saw this opportunity and they’ve ran with it. From the beginning of the year until Thursday, they’ve taken care of business.”

Individually, Oxford’s Molly Hays took home the regional individual title, averaging over 150 for her three games.

Hays, who moved to Oxford a year ago, has been a critical addition to the team that one year ago played just club bowling.

“In high school bowling, if you can average 150, you’re in a really really good spot. … Getting her here this season, we really lucked out. She’s the best bowler in the entire region. And then beyond that, we just have a collection of really dedicated bowlers. The way I put it for some people is that there’s a big difference between having a bowling team of bowlers and a bowling team of kids who want to bowl. Our girls team is a bowling team of bowlers.”

The team will compete Thursday in Jackson for the MHSAA Class III Bowling Championship.