BOW – There was little doubt among coaches and competing grapplers that the 2007-’08 Division II wrestling season belonged to Plymouth.

So when Bow placed second at the D-II state championships on Saturday, Feb. 16, in many ways it felt like gold for the host Falcons. As expected, Plymouth won the meet handily with 205.5 points, while Bow held off White Mountains, 137 to 128, to claim runner-up.

“I told (the wrestlers) one of my goals was just to improve on last year’s state meet finish of fifth place, and I thought that even though we had a lot if inexperience in our lineup, we were certainly capable of doing that,” said first-year Bow coach Paul Cohen. “They responded today. Even kids that lost battled until the end. I think it speaks testament to their desire and their dedication to learn this sport and to do as well as they have this year.”

Still, Cohen admitted his squad had an undeniable advantage.

“There’s no question, when you’re at home, especially for an all-day tournament like this, it’s huge,” he said. “When all the parents can come, when all the friends can come, it’s enormous. You can’t underestimate that at all, and we’re very fortunate that it was here in Bow this year.”

Three Bow grapplers won their respective weight classes, and two finished second. All five earned invites to the Meet of Champions, which takes place at Londonderry High School on Saturday, Feb. 23.

While 125-pounder Ben Morrow and 215-pounder Ian Wedemeyer were expected to win as the top seeds in their weight classes, 130-pounder Matt Boyd, even as the No. 3 seed, snuck up on the competition to take victory.

“Certainly Matt Boyd’s championship match was a pleasant surprise,” said Cohen. “I mean, he’s battled back and forth throughout the entire season. He’s been a little inconsistent here and there, but when he had to show his true colors, wrestling for the last time at his home school, he did.”

Boyd took a 13-6 decision against John Stark’s David Cass, the No. 2 seed, and then beat No. 4 Matt Maynard in the final, 7-6. Even Boyd admitted he surprised himself.

“It’s kind of unbelievable, coming in as one of three freshmen, and now (winning a division championship as a senior),” he said. “I was just a little guy with no experience, and to come in and prove myself here is really great.”

Morrow, who entered the meet 30-2 this season, avenged his only two losses by defeating White Mountains’s Kyle Cormier, 4-2, to take the title.

After pinning Newport’s Will Sullivan in the semifinal, Wedemeyer won a 6-3 decision against Plymouth’s Maurice Baxter Jr. in the final.

Doug Rosenberg, in the 135- pound weight class, and Jim Paveglio, among 189-pounders, each finished runner-up. Those who finish top three at the Meet of Champions advance to New Englands.

“Morrow has a very solid chance (at MOCs), considering how good he’s done all season. Actually all of them have a shot,” said Cohen. “It all depends on what they bring to the mat that day, how technically proficient they are, and whether they’re going to take advantage of (mistakes) their opponents give them.”

Bow nearly sent a sixth grappler to Londonderry, but Sean Dippold was denied a spot in the consolation final in a controversial decision.

Though Dippold’s hand was originally raised as the victor in a 5-4 decision over St. Thomas’ Zach Duffy, it was determined the mat referee had made a mistake late in the third round of the match and the two were forced to continue their match from the spot of the perceived mistake. Duffy won, 4-3.