Lexington joined Lugoff-Elgin in the Class 4A state wrestling Final Four by defeating Sumter 39-26 in a third round match on Monday.

The Wildcats (30-6) travel to face defending state champion Fort Dorchester on Wednesday for the right to wrestle for the big-school title on Saturday at Dreher. This will be the third season in a row Lexington and Fort D have clashed deep in the playoffs since the Wildcats moved to the Lower State for the first time in 2009. The mighty Patriots beat the ‘Cats in the LS final in 2009 and in the third round last year.

There is another connection. Fort Dorchester is coached by former Irmo and Dutch Fork head man B.D. LaPrad, who also happens to be the father-in-law of Lexington coach Derek Strobel.

The Wildcats trailed the host Gamecocks 26-17 with five bouts to go. The Lexington move began with a 15-4, major decision by Nate Meagher over Trevor Jahnke. Anton Wahrby then scored an 8-5 heavyweight decision before Jackson Myers put the ‘Cats back in front for good at 30-26 with a pin of Joshua Sloan.

Essentially, the Myers verdict clinched the win for Lexington because Sumter was going for forfeit at 119.

The dream of an all-local Lower State title bout between Lexington and cross-county rival White Knoll did not come to fruition. The Timberwolves saw their dual season come to an end in a 31-24 loss at Fort Dorchester. The host Patriots rolled to victory by winning the last four bouts of the match.

The T-Wolves finished with a 32-4 record.