CARRABASSETT VALLEY — The Maranacook boys and girls are one step away from a sweep of the Class B Nordic skiing championships, being held this week at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.

Zach Holman won the boys’ classical race Thursday in a time of 16:45, a full 45 seconds better than Freeport’s Jacob Olins. Luke Bartol and Mark McLaughlin of Maranacook followed in third and fourth to give the Black Bears a firm grip on the top team position.

Laura Parent of Maranacook was the top girls’ finisher, pacing the field in 19:31. Grace Cowles of Yarmouth was the second girls’ racer, at 19:59. Abigail Despres of Maranacook and Emily Gerencer of St. Dominic Academy placed third and fourth.

Among the teams, the Black Bears’ boys’ squad totaled just 17 points to forge a 14-point advantage over Freeport (31). Caribou is a distant third with 61 points. Mt. Abram’s boys are in fifth position, Spruce Mountain is in eighth, and Mountain Valley is ninth after the first day.

On the girls’ side, Maranacook’s lead is 12 over Yarmouth. The Bears have 18 points to the Clippers’ 30. Freeport is in third position with 52, while Mt. Abram sits in fifth with 111.

The second and final day of competition is Friday, again at Sugarloaf.