Foster’s runner-up finish leads Polk wrestlers at Robbinsville tourney

Polk County sophomore Collier Foster took second place in Saturday’s James Orr Memorial Invitational wrestling tournament in Robbinsville to lead the Wolverines’ effort.

Foster reached the final before droppong a 4-2 decision to Cherryville’s Brady Buchanan. He improved his individual record to 31-14 for the season.

Two other Wolverines finished in the top four in their weight classes, with Jacob Knighton tying for third in the 152-pound class and Gage McSwain earning fourth at 182 pounds.

Polk County will travel Friday to Owen for a Western Highlands Conference tri-match with the Warhorses and Madison. The Wolverines will then conclude their regular season on Jan. 28 at home, hosting Mountain Heritage and T.L. Hanna.

106
Champ. Round 1 – Scott Stroupe (Cherryville ) won by fall over Tori Strickland (PC) (Fall 3:43)
Cons. Round 2 – Gordon McCall (Alcoa) won by fall over Tori Strickland (PC) (Fall 2:21)

113
Quarterfinal – Collier Foster (PC) won by decision over Luke Wilson (Robbinsville), 6-0
Semifinal – Collier Foster (PC) won by fall over Jacob Norton (Cherokee) (Fall 3:33)
1st Place Match – Brady Buchanan (Cherryville) won by decision over Collier Foster (PC), 4-2

120
Quarterfinal – Bryson Church (Alleghany) won by fall over Satchel McCoy (PC) (Fall 3:51)
Cons. Round 3 – Satchel McCoy (PC) won by fall over Mane Rameriz (West Henderson ) (Fall 0:34)
Cons. Semi – Tyas Nelloms (Walhalla) won by decision over Satchel McCoy (PC), 8-2

132
Quarterfinal – Mason Baker (Tuscola) won by fall over Deacon Nodine (PC)
Cons. Round 3 – Alex Rodriguez (Smoky Mountain) won by fall over Deacon Nodine (PC) (Fall 0:20)

152
Champ. Round 1 – Ki French (Smoky Mountain) won by decision over Jacob Knighton (PC), 6-3
Cons. Round 2 – Jacob Knighton (PC) won by fall over Evan Klement (Walhalla) (Fall 2:38)
Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Knighton (PC) won by fall over Kamron McGuire (Robbinsville) (Fall 3:59)
Cons. Semi – Jacob Knighton (PC) won by fall over Darius Saunooke (Cherokee) (Fall 4:11)

182
Quarterfinal – Gage McSwain (PC) won by fall over Cayden Kennedy (Rabun Gap) (Fall 1:54)
Semifinal – Jayden Blanton (Cherryville ) won by decision over Gage McSwain (PC), 9-4
Cons. Semi – Gage McSwain (PC) won by major decision over Kobe Coggins (Smoky Mountain ), 11-3
3rd Place Match – Samuel Wood (Andrews) won by forfeit over Gage McSwain (PC)

195
Quarterfinal – Thomas Allen (Swain ) won by fall over Trey Thompson (PC) (Fall 2:50)
Cons. Round 2 – Trey Thompson (PC) won by fall over Riley Billings (Alleghany ) (Fall 1:52)
Cons. Round 3 – Trey Thompson (PC) won by fall over Ethan Taylor (Hayesville ) (Fall 0:35)
Cons. Semi – Kyle Fink (Robbinsville) won by decision over Trey Thompson (PC), 3-2