HOBBS, N.M. – Michael Nivala Jr. wrapped up his outstanding freshman campaign for the Macomb Men's Cross Country and Track & Field teams on Saturday (May 16) at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The event was hosted by New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, N.M.

Nivala competed in the 5000m run at Saturday's national title event.

The Lakeland High School product ran a time of 16:52.02 in difficult conditions as high altitude and near 90 degree weather added an extra element to the national championship race. Nivala's time was good for 20th in his heat and 34th overall, bettering his seed by three places while finishing ahead of several Region 12 opponents.

Nivala concludes his freshman season competing in three NJCAA National Championship events. Alongside his teammates, Nivala ran at the NJCAA DII Cross Country National Championship, helping Macomb to a top 10 team finish as they placed ninth out of 46 teams. 

He then moved on to indoor track season where he qualified for the NJCAA DI Indoor Championships held this past March in Topeka, Kan. Nivala posted a 17th place time of 15:43 at the indoor event to cap off a season where his personal indoor best was 15:06. 

Nivala earned his way into today's title race after running a PR time of 15:02 at Baldwin Wallace last week.

The Monarchs and Nivala will return in the fall for cross country season with big goals in mind under head coach Matt Fecht.