University of Utah junior skier Torin Koos increased his chances for a spot on the 2002 U.S. Olympic cross country roster.

Koos, a member of the U.S. Ski Team, placed first at the Continental Cup Saturday at the Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks, Alaska. The top finish by Koos helped the U.S. Team capture the same standing.

U.S. coach Christer Skog was impressed with the performance. “[Koos] really put the hammer down on the uphill and had everything totally in control all the way,” Skog said.

Departed senior and two-time Ute All-American Pat Casey finished third. Casey, a two time recipient of Utah’s Alf Engen Sportsmanship Award, is returning to Utah as a fifth year assistant for the upcoming 2002 season.

The results from the Continental Cup will be considered in the selection process for the 2002 U.S. cross country ski team.

The next race for the pair of U skiers will be Nov. 22 to 24 at Silver Star, British Columbia, Canada. Competition for the Ute ski team doesn’t begin until Jan. 4.