For the Bow golf team, 2008 was a good year. Coach Mike Seraikas said 2009 has the potential to be a great year.

“The kids worked hard, they all improved, and now we’re just looking forward to next season where we’re going to be a year older and a year more experienced,” said Seraikas, who expects to return all but one current player.

Corey Johnson is the lone senior on the Falcons. In his final varsity golf match, at the Class I championship on Thursday, Oct. 2, Johnson turned in an 18-hole 86.

Though that performance didn’t figure into the top five Bow scores, Seraikas credited his captain with keeping teammates loose throughout the season, including when the pressure was greatest.

Ryan Varney and Sam Cole led the unit at this year’s state tournament, which took place at White Mountains Country Club.

Each carded a 79 during day-one competition to make the cut for individual play. Varney finished with a 36- hole total of 160, while Cole tallied a 166.

Others contributing during team play included Jake Hughes, Bruce LaCasse, Ryan Hill, Peter Cummings and Robbie Gunnison, who notched scores of 82, 83, 84, 95 and 95, respectively.

“Some of kids played their best golf of the year at the state tournament, and I’m looking for that same improvement next season,” said Seraikas, who noted scores are down and parity reigns in Class I.

This year’s champion, Lebanon, which turned in a 376 in the finale, graduates seven players. That undoubtedly makes second-place Bedford, which has no seniors and finished eight strokes back, the odds-on favorite.

Seraikas said there’s no reason his young squad can’t compete with the likes of Bedford, Lebanon, Hanover, Hollis-Brookline and St. Thomas next season.

“I feel we can be very competitive and give Bedford a run for their money if the kids continue to work on their games,” he said. “I mean, Bedford got a 384 with all sophomores and juniors … That’s a hard score to beat, but we’re going to try.”