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By John Cummings, Contributing Writer 12:28 AM Saturday, February 19, 2011

EATON — The biggest surprise at the Division II Eaton wrestling sectional came hours before wrestling started.

Eaton sophomore 112-pounder Payton Ott, a returning state placer, was pulled from the tournament after arriving at school after the 9:30 a.m. cutoff time to be eligible for activities that day.

“He was ready to go, that’s what makes it so sickening,” Eaton coach Mark Silvers said. “Sometimes kids make bad choices. I would rather have him learn this as a sophomore where he can learn and grow from it, but it hurts like hell.”

Ott’s misfortune was Carroll’s A.J. Michalo’s gain. The Patriot moved up to the fourth seed and advanced to the semifinals with a fall in 54 seconds over Ott’s replacement, Austin Wilkerson. Michalo will face top-seeded Mason Moore of Franklin in the semis.

“I was surprised when I heard Ott was out,” Michalo said. “I probably have a better chance against the new No. 1 seed than I did against Ott.”

While Michalo was happy with his fortunes, Chaminade Julienne freshman Lyle Plummer was glad to get the nerves kicked out of his system. The top seed at 103 advanced to the semis with a bye before pinning Jordan Robinson of Talawanda in 59 seconds in the quarterfinals.

The top seeds advanced in all 14 weight classes, but not all the seeds were able to move into the semifinals.

Eaton’s Hunter Morrow upset fourth-seeded Nick Holbrook of Franklin in the second round at 135, while Trotwood’s Adrien Henderson knocked off 152 third seed Aldin Leaker of Eaton in the quarters. The big upsets came at 160 where second-seeded Tommy Redinger of CJ was pinned by Alex Nori of Franklin and fourth-seeded Joseph Wheeler of Bellbrook was knocked off by Ross’ Ben Davis.

Ross leads the team race with 90.5 points with Valley View sitting nine points back and Eaton in third with 61.

At Tipp City, Graham placed all 14 wrestlers in the semifinals en route to building up a 55-point lead after the first night of the tournament. At Lehman Catholic, the lone upset of the night came when Versailles’ Mitch Bergman knocked off third-seeded Bryton Lear of Covington at 119.

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