Outlaws wrestler is Athlete of the Month

In the first Sisters High School coaches' poll of its kind, Tyler Surface was named Outlaws Athlete of the Month.

Surface is a senior Outlaws wrestler.

His coach John Downs said, "Tyler is deserving of this award because how hard he has worked. He has run into many roadblocks along the way in school and out but he has made efforts to not allow those to detour him."

Surface has wrestled since fifth grade. He competed in Freestyle and Folkstyle wrestling, played football for a few years.

"Even when grades and injuries started to affect his performance as an athlete, Tyler would make the tough decision on the sacrifices that needed to be made and the commitment it took to get back to the mat," Downs said.

Surface decided to join the National Guard's Oregon Youth Challenge Program during his junior year to help him with focus and be more disciplined. Returning to the Sisters wrestling team this year, Tyler made a commitment to himself to keep his grades at an acceptable level, continue physical therapy on his knee, and on his return to the team he would follow his weight-loss plan and get down to 220 from 245.

"He did just that plus extra," Downs related. "By the end of the season Tyler was at 216. It has been great to see him walk with pride again knowing all he has accomplished this last year: earning a fourth place at the Wrestling Regionals Tournament, competing at the Oregon Wrestling State Championships, earning his varsity letter and earning All League Honorable Mention honors for the 220-pound weight class. Sisters High School is proud of Tyler and what he has overcome to become the upstanding young man he is today!"