Surface wraps up high school career at state

Senior Tyler Surface was the only Outlaw to compete in the 2017 Oregon Wrestling State Championship held at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland on Friday and Saturday, February 24-25.

Surface started his tournament play against No. 3-seed Clay Pena from Banks. Tyler wrestled very tough and went all three rounds with Pena, and was able to score a reversal and a couple of escapes. Pena was not able to keep Surface on his back and only pulled off a win by points at the end.

The loss sent Tyler into the consolation rounds where he wrestled against Tyler Moore from Klamath Union. Coach John Downs told The Nugget that the match was one of Tyler's best matches this season.

Moore was unable to score on Surface, and the same was true of Surface with Moore. It was a tough battle that went all three rounds and ended with Moore taking the match 3-0.

"It was a tough loss for Tyler, knowing it was the last wrestling match of his high school career," said Downs. "Tyler has loved wrestling since he started mat club in the fifth grade. It has been a joy and pleasure to watch him grow and become the upstanding young man he is today.

"His plans are to do bull riding in the spring and then start welding and farrier classes in college. Tyler also earned Wrestling All-League Honorable Mention Honors, and will receive this at the Sisters Wrestling Awards Banquet."