Spain Park Duo Remains Unbeaten as the AHSAA’s 69th State Wrestling Championships Complete Day 1
Huntsville, AL – Spain Park High School wrestlers, senior Kyle Oliveira and sophomore Bradley Williams, continued their impressive undefeated runs at the 69th AHSAA State Wrestling Championships, hosted at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center. Oliveira, with a flawless record of 52-0, dominated his 215-pound class opening match with a 9-0 major decision against Oak Mountain freshman Peyton Gamble, advancing to the semifinals via a pin against Enterprise’s Jace Hymes. Remarkably, Oliveira has surrendered only two points all season, maintaining his spotless streak with a pivotal pin at the 2:35 mark in his quarterfinal bout.
Williams, equally unstoppable at 52-0 in the 144-pound bracket, bypassed the first round and secured his quarterfinal victory in a mere 32 seconds, achieving his career’s 99th pin and marking his 182nd win. His performance in the quarterfinals reflected his impressive journey, which included a narrow runner-up finish at last year’s championship.
Oliveira’s strategic shift from a defensive to an aggressive style has paid dividends, reflected in his on-mat success and academic improvement. Last season, despite a sixth-place finish and an elbow injury in the finals, Oliveira has bounced back, undefeated since.
Coach Kyle Thompson commended Oliveira and Williams for their dedication, on and off-season, contributing to Spain Park’s reputation for producing exceptional wrestlers. The team, with only three qualifiers, still managed to rank 11th after day one, with Huntsville, Thompson, and Hewitt-Trussville leading in the Class 7A standings.
Other notable performances across various classes saw Mountain Brook lead Class 6A, while Weaver, the defending state champion, was chased closely by multiple schools in Class 1A/4A. The championships are to resume with further bouts and live coverage via the NFHS Network, signaling the continuation of intense grappling action across all classes.
Cover Photo: Spain Park’s Bradley Williams improves to 52-0 with Class 7A win at 144 pounds (Dawn Harrison)
