ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsWarriors lead after day 1 of state wrestling championships

Thompson High School piled up 90.5 points Thursday afternoon to take a 17.5-point lead over Grissom (73) after day one action at the state high school wrestling championships in Huntsville.

The defending 6A state champion Warriors advanced eight wrestlers into tomorrows quarterfinals. 

Sophomore Conner Gilson (49-9) jump-started Thompson's strong showing with two strong wins at 106 pounds. John Austin Jones (61-0) also posted two wins by pins at 152 pounds, the second one taking just 40 seconds to beat Sam Bridell (48-8) of Mountain Brook. Also advancing to the quarterfinals for the Warriors were Mario Haynes (59-0) at 126 pounds, Brewer Gilliland (43-3) at 132 pounds, Cody Albarado (29-5) at 138 pounds, Nick Hall (47-5) at 145 pounds, Josh Gillaspie (52-3) at 160 pounds and Jesse Master (45-4) at 182 pounds. 

Vestavia Hills was third in the standings after day one with 68 points, followed by Hoover (49.5), Hewitt-Trussville (47), Oxford (44), Bob Jones (43.5), Oak Mountain (43.5), Benjamin Russell (35) and Opelika (33) rounding out the top 10.  

Wrestling resumes Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. with Class 6A consolation matches while Classes 5A and 1A-4A open their competition.