Emory tops quality field to win weight class at Saunooke tourney

Drawing an unexpected low seed, Chase Emory faced a rough road in Saturday’s Osley B. Saunooke Memorial Wrestling Tournament in Cherokee.

Emory traveled that road in style.

The Polk County sophomore defeated three 2014 state tournament qualifiers from three states en route to winning the 138-pound class at the Saunooke, traditiionally one of the tougher tournaments in the area.

Emory matched up with Harrison Adams of Dawson County, Ga., in the quarterfinals. Adams qualified for the Georgia 3A state tournament last year at 132 pounds. Emory then faced Cherokee’s Anthony Toineeta, not only a state 1A qualifier last year but also a victor over Emory at the War Eagle Duals three weeks ago.

Emory then faced Seth Holcombe of Walhalla, S.C. in the final. Holcombe is currently the top-ranked 3A wrestler at 138 pounds in South Carolina.

Emory and the rest of the Wolverines will host Avery and Rosman on Tuesday, the match with Avery the first Western Highlands Conference match of the year for Polk County.