By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

The Thompson High School wrestling team got off to a quick start in its search for a second-consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A state tournament championship Feb. 16.

The Warriors racked up 90.5 points on the first day of the three-day tournament, which gave Thompson a 16.5 point advantage on second-place Grissom after the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds.

Spain Park sits in 13th place in team standings after the first day of wrestling. Pelham is currently 27th in the 34-team field.

Eight Thompson wrestlers finished undefeated on the first day of the tournament.

Conner Gilson of Thompson received a bye in the preliminary round and earned a 15-0 technical fall against Aaron Harris of Auburn in his 106-pound quarterfinal match.

Mario Haynes of Thompson pinned Blake Belcher of Gardendale in 1:34 in his preliminary match before earning a 15-2 major decision over Lacarris Patrick of Opelika in his 126-pound quarterfinal match.

Brewer Gilliland of Thompson pinned Darin Boyd of Jeff Davis in 1:46 in his preliminary match before earning a 3-1 decision over Jesse Webster of Bob Jones in his 132-pound quarterfinal match.

Cody Albarado of Thompson earned a 15-4 major decision over Ben Harrison of Hewitt-Trussville in his preliminary match before earning an 11-3 major decision over Caleb Ellerbee of Lee-Montgomery in his 138-pound quarterfinal match.

Nick Hall of Thompson pinned Micah McGlathery of Sparkman in 1:52 in his preliminary match before earning an 11-2 major decision over Robert Mcafee of Central-Phenix City in his 145-pound quarterfinal match.

John Austin (J.A.) Jones of Thompson pinned Trey Cimato of Oxford in 1:02 in his preliminary match before pinning Sam Bridell of Mountain Brook in 40 seconds in his 152-pound quarterfinal match.

Josh Gillaspie of Thompson pinned Chase Downer of Gardendale in 2:33 in his preliminary match before pinning Randy Hooks of Auburn in 3:14 in his 160-pound quarterfinal match.

Jesse Masters of Thompson pinned Joe Wimes of Clay-Chalkville in 1:13 in his preliminary match before pinning Marquis Wright of Opelika in 1:16 in his 182-pound quarterfinal match.