Cedarville University Yellow Jackets

Joe Niemiec is in his fourth year at Cedarville University.....one of three team captains for the cross country squad.....among the team’s top five in all six meets in which he ran and was the #2 finisher in the last four outings.....Great Midwest Athletic Conference runner-up in 25:35 for the 8K.....repeat All-G-MAC First Team performer.....turned in a career-best 25:15 to place 16th of 229 at Appalachian State.....finished 11th of 199 in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional with a 10K time of 31:59.....crossed the line 85th of 248 at the NCAA Division II Championship in 32:01.....named to the USTFCCCA Division II Midwest Region Team.

2012-13 - Versatile distance runner on the track team as a junior.....ran the 800, mile, 3K, 5K, and the steeplechase.....placed 8th in the NCCAA Indoor 3K in 8:46.03.....best time in the 3,000 meter steeplechase was 9:36.31 at Miami.....ran in five varsity cross country meets finishing in the team’s top seven each time, but missed the final three outings with an injury.....turned in a season-best mark of 25:49 to place 11th in the Friendship Invitational.....came in 24th of 182 at Wisconsin-Parkside in 25:50.....64th of 31 in the All-Ohio in 26:00.....placed 5th in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in 26:00 to earn All-G-MAC First Team honors.

2011-12 - Competed during the outdoor track season only as a sophomore.....placed 5th in the NCCAA 3,000 meter steeplechase in a career-best mark of 9:48.11.....Ohio Independent Championship runner-up in the 5K in 15:24.0.....one of only two runners to compete in all seven varsity cross country races as a sophomore.....finished among team’s top seven each time out.....posted a season-best time of 26:49 at the Ohio Independent Championship to place 11th of 62 runners.....clocked in 26:53 at the All-Ohio Championship to finish 96th of 310.....crossed the line 34th of 209 at the NCCAA Championship in 27:22.

2010-11 - Finished 9th in the NCCAA Indoor 3,000 meters in 9:01.83.....fastest time was 8:59.17 in the Cedarville Invitational and best 5K mark was 15:47.70 in the NCCAA Indoor Championship.....placed 5th in the NCCAA Outdoor 3,000 meter steeplechase in 9:52.49.....top time was 9:51.16 at Cincinnati.....also participated outdoors in the 800 (2:01.84); 1,500 (4:11.49); and 5,000 (15:41.38).....ran in six varsity cross country meets as a freshman.....Yellow Jackets’ #6 finisher for NCCAA championship team placing 24th  in 27:27.....fastest time was 27:00 at the NAIA Great Lakes Invitational.

High School - Produced a four-sport career at Zeeland East High School.....three-year competitor in cross country with three letters.....two-year letter winner in two seasons of track & field.....played one season each of baseball and soccer.....plans to run the distance events on the CU track & field squad.

Personal - Electrical engineering major at Cedarville University.....born 4/23/92 in Zeeland, MI.....son of Robert and Anne Marie Niemiec.....all four of his siblings have either participated or are currently participating for the Yellow Jackets.....older brother Matt was a four-year All-America soccer player.....older brother Aaron was a four-year All-America tennis player.....younger brother James is a sophomore distance runner and younger sister Abby is a freshman distance runner at CU.