FRYEBURG — The legacy of Seth and Silas Eastman continues to grow in Maine high school Nordic skiing.

The Fryeburg Academy duo are coming off an impressive end-of-the-season string of races and are peaking at the right time.

On Saturday, the two competed against 70 of the best skiers in Maine for 24 spots on the Eastern High School Championship (EHSC) team. The format was

DOUBLE TROUBLE — Silas (left) and Seth Eastman of Fryeburg Academy continued their dominance in high school Nordic skiing, each winning an event last Saturday at the Maine Team Selection Race held at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford.

pursuit style with a 5K Classic race in the morning followed by a 5K skate race in the afternoon at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford, where the EHSCs will be held in two weeks. Skiers started the afternoon race according to how they finished the morning race.

“It’s a long day, but a great format to watch a race and very exciting,” said FA Nordic ski coach John Weston. 

Sophomore Silas Eastman sent a resounding statement beating the field by 37 seconds in the morning Classic race with a time of 14:54.3. Jeb Clarke of Gould Academy was second at 15:31.1.

“It was a tough wax day as it was warm and drizzling at race time. I thought Silas would have a great chance at winning, but his margin of victory was impressive to say the least,” Coach Weston said. “He beat some very good skiers and made it look easy!”

Brother Seth had a very solid race and finished where he needed to in 12th out of a field of 82 competitors, less than 10 seconds out of the Top 10. His time was 16:33.2.

“No doubt, Silas has proven to be the guy to beat in Classic while Seth’s specialty has been skate,” Coach Weston said.

After a three-hour rest, the racers lined up for the skate race.

“Seth was in a prime spot to have a great race. He was stronger in skate and he had a lot of guys just in front of him for motivation,” Coach Weston said. “He didn’t disappoint.”

Seth flew over the course with the fastest time of the day, winning the race in 13:02.1 and positioning him as Maine’s top skate racer to complement his brother as Maine’s top Classic racer. Nathan Moreau of Maine Coast was second in 13:05.4, while Silas was third in 13:15.4.

“What a duo. Silas took the overall combined position in the pursuit, while Seth was a combined fourth,” Coach Weston said. “The two have made Fryeburg proud all season and now they get to take their show to the rest of New England.”

Maine should certainly have a strong team when they compete against the other New England States and New York March 18-20 in Rumford.