LINCOLN – Sean Cole knew he had a battle on his hands in the 135 weight class final at the Class C state wrestling championship Saturday.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” Cole said.

The last time he wrestled Wiscasset’s T.J. James, his opponent in the 135 final, the match ended in a 2-2 double overtime tie, Cole explained.

Cole was able to hold off James 5-3 and claim the 135 title, and was one of four Tigers to win state titles as Dexter cruised to its second straight team championship.

Dexter compiled 196 1/2 points to win the title, while Foxcroft Acadmey was second with 149 1/2. Dirigo of Dixfield took third with 132 1/2, followed by Penobscot Valley of Howland with 99 points.

Other area teams competing Saturday were Calais (9th with 35 points), John Bapst of Bangor (11th, 20 points) and Ashland (13th, 3 points)

There was little suspense in the final outcome, as Dexter took the team lead early and kept a stranglehold throughout the afternoon. Buoyed by solid performances in the semifinal round, the Tigers took a 36 1/2-point lead, which was stretched to 56 points heading into the championship matches.

“I’d much rather be getting to the top [winning the state title] than defending it,” Dexter coach Dave Gudroe said. “The kids did well.”

Cole and teammates Adam Gudroe (125), Kenny Welch (140) and Adam Paige (160) won individual titles for the Tigers. In all, seven of the 13 Dexter wrestlers qualified for the championship round.

Ross Palmer (103), Phil Mosley (119) and Joey Turner (145) rallied from earlier losses to win consolation finals.

“Even the kids that lost came back and wrestled well,” Dave Gudroe said.

Foxcroft Academy finished with five state champions to overtake Dirigo for second place.

“They did all we could ask of them,” coach Gary Wakeland said. “With five [individual] champs, we can’t complain.”

One of the highlights of the championship round was another battle of the Shorey brothers in the 112 final. Foxcroft’s Derek Shorey defeated Penobscot Valley’s Dustin Shorey 14-3 to claim the crown. Late in the match, Derek allowed Dustin to escape to earn one final point.

“One brother was showing mercy for the other,” Wakeland said.

The entire crowd cheered after time expired, while Derek and Dustin Shorey hugged after the match. They shared another hug at the top step of the awards podium when the individual medals were presented.

Wakeland can appreciate the progress of the Shoreys, as he coached the pair last year.

“I think by being apart, they got to be better wrestlers,” he said.

C.J. Ewer of Foxcroft took the 152 final with a 16-2 major decision over Nate Gurney of Dirigo. After winning the title at 145 last year, Ewer credited his success this year to his decision to stay closer to his natural weight instead of losing weight to remain in a lower class.

“I was able to stay focused on wrestling” instead of making a lower weight, Ewer explained.

Ewer is considering Springfield, Plymouth State and the University of Southern Maine to continue his wrestling career, Wakeland said.

“Some college is going to get a good wrestler,” he added.

Lucas Talbot pinned Brian Glover 36 seconds into the final period to win the 172 final. Talbot trailed Gover 13-3 after two periods before pinning Glover. It was the third time Glover has rallied after two periods and pinned an opponent to win a match, Wakeland said.

Bo Kennedy (145) and Josh Higgins (215) also earned individual championships for the Ponies. Matt Lindsay (119) and Dave Stenzil (189) won titles for Penobscot Valley.

Other state titles were won by Mark McDonald of Monmouth (103) and Dan Robinson (130) and Mark Lufkin of Dirigo (275). Robinson was also named the meet’s outstanding wrestler, earning a 5-3 win over Dexter’s Aaron Thompson with a two-point reversal just before time ran out.

Calais received the Maine Principals Association sportsmanship award for the East and Traip Academy of Kittery was awarded the West banner.