DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University men's cross country team ran in the Roadrunner Invitational hosted by Metropolitan State University-Denver on Saturday.

"I think we had a lot of personal bests today at this course," said head cross country coach John Esquibel. "I'm very impressed with where we are today. I think everyone here ran a minute faster, and as long as we're improving, that's the key."

The men's team made their season debut at Washington Park with a strong team finish and excellent performances from all five runners. 

Freshman Eric Casey led the Regis men finishing with a time of 27 minutes, 37.1 seconds to place 98th overall. 

"Eric, our top freshman, did awesome," said Esquibel. "He was probably in the top 30 percent for the first two miles which he paid the price for, but he recovered well and still beat probably 40, 50 people. Once he learns to run at a pace, he'll be beating 60, 70, 80 people."

Third-year runner Judd Ogle posted a time of 28:47.9 and finished 120th overall. 

"Judd ran really well," said Esquibel. "I'm really pleased with how he was picking up his pace and he was constantly chasing the runners who were in front of him."

Rounding out the men's team on Saturday were runners William Oakes, John Murphy, and Aaron Bennett. Oakes finished 128th overall with a time of 30:16.7. Murphy crossed the finish line in 128th with a time of 31:27.8. Bennett finished for the Rangers in 131st with a time of 35:48.7.

"I don't care what or who is in front of us as long as we're getting personal bests," said Esquibel. "The most important part is that we work hard, and I want to make sure they're having fun and that they're improving. When you come to a race and you get a personal best early in the season, now you've set another goal."

UP NEXT: The men run again on Oct. 1st in the Ted Castaneda classic hosted by Colorado College in Colorado Spring, Colo.

"We'll have time to recover so I think we'll do well," said Esquibel. "We want to beat a lot more runners in the next race."