Lake Tenkiller was almost a season-killer for Skylar Hamilton. The postponed and relocated final Elite Series tournament saw the 24-year-old Hamilton drop out of the AOY top 42 standings after he finished 63rd at Tenkiller. He was in 45th place entering Lake St. Clair.
Hamilton has rallied under that stress. He weighed a 6th-place bag of 21-13 on Day 1, and followed that with 18-6 on Day 2. He started in 12th place today. If he can hold that place in the standings, the Dandridge, Tenn., pro will complete a Classic-qualifying season. Hamilton is off to a solid start with 7 1/2 pounds on two fish at 9 a.m.