Travis Cooper, a 2015 graduate of Kenai Central in his first year at the World Cup biathlon circuit, had his best result of the season Thursday in the men’s 10-kilometer sprint in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.

Cooper finished 56th in the race, missing two of 10 targets. Johannes Thingnes Boe of Norway won the race with perfect shooting, finishing at 23:09.9. Cooper was 2:28.8 off the pace. His one miss meant he had to ski a 150-meter penalty loop.

Crucially, by finishing in the top 60, Cooper earns a spot in Saturday’s 12.5-kilometer pursuit. Cooper had done two sprints previously this season and not qualified for the pursuit.