Surra captures National Title

by Bradford Era

Posted on March 16, 2009

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - West Liberty's Doug Surra capped his stellar career by becoming the eighth national champion in school wrestling history Saturday.

Surra, the Hilltoppers' three-time All-American, scored a 5-3 victory against No. 1-ranked Raymond Dunning of Adams State (Colo.) to win the 141-pound championship in the NCAA Division II national tournament at the University of Houston.

Surra, who entered the tournament ranked No. 3 nationally at 141, had lost to Dunning in the finals of the Midwest Classic during the regular season but controlled Saturday's championship match from start to finish.

The Kersey, Pa., native earned his way into Saturday night's title tilt with a thrilling 3-1 victory against Nebraska-Omaha's Mario Morgan in Saturday morning's semifinals.

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