Kent State wrestler Tim Rooney earns MAC's Bob James Post-Graduate Scholarship Award
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by Kent State Athletics
Image of Tim Rooney and Maria Cegledy courtesy of Kent State Athletics.
KENT, OHIO - Recent Kent State University graduates Tim Rooney (wrestling) and Maria Cegledy (softball) have been awarded the 2020 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award as announced by the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Faculty Athletics Representatives.
In its 32nd year, the Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award recognizes one female and one male student who have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.50 and have displayed good character, leadership and citizenship. The students are nominated during the year in which they complete their final season of eligibility. The $5,000 postgraduate scholarship is awarded in honor of Bob James, the second commissioner in MAC history (1964-71).
Kent State's sweep of the awards marks just the second time both awards have been given to the same university. Cegledy is the fifth Kent State female student-athlete to win the award and the first since Stephanie Haugh (women's soccer) won the award in 2015. Rooney is the second male student-athlete to win the award, joining Jordan Italiano (football) who won in 2016.
"Maria and Tim are both highly deserving of this award," Kent State Athletic Director Joel Nielsen said. "They embody the definition of a student-athlete with their classroom accomplishments, championships and helping others through community service."
Rooney graduated this spring with a degree in exercise science and was a MAC Medal of Excellence Award winner. Rooney posted a career grade-point average of 3.83 and was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection and a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American.
The native of Columbus, Ohio, also turned in an All-American season on the mat in 2019-2020. Rooney captured the MAC championship at 133 pounds, defeating Missouri's Allan Hart in overtime to win Kent State's first wrestling title since 2016. As a result, Rooney was named first-team All-MAC. After the season, Rooney earned All-America honors from the National Wrestling Coaches' Association.
Rooney finished the season at 26-9 overall and was seeded 13th in the NCAA tournament at 133 pounds before its cancellation. For his career, Rooney totaled 97 victories at the varsity level and 112 wins in his Kent State career and was a two-time NCAA qualifier. He also spent three years as a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Rooney plans on attending Baldwin Wallace University for its physician assistant program where he also hopes to volunteer as a wrestling coach.
Cegledy graduated this spring with a perfect 4.00 grade-point average with a degree in exercise science. She earned the MAC's Medal of Excellence Award, is a two-time Academic All-American and is one of 30 finalists for the softball Senior CLASS Award. She is also a two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete and a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete.
On the field, Cegledy starred as well. During her shortened senior season, Cegledy started all 19 games for the Golden Flashes in center field. She was second on the team in doubles (5) and third in runs scored (9) and RBIs (7).
Cegledy helped Kent State reach postseason competition in two of her three complete seasons, which included a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017 and National Invitational Softball Championships spot in 2019.
A two-time All-MAC second team performer, she recorded 21 multi-hit games and finished her career eighth in the program's record book for most times hit by a pitch (18).
In the Kent community, she has volunteered at the nearby King Kennedy Community Center to assist in preparing peace baskets for families in need during the winter holiday season. She is an advocate for the softball team's annual "She Will" game, which is dedicated to promoting the participation of girls and women in sports.
The Pataskala, Ohio, native plans on attending Ohio University for physical therapy school.
KENT, OHIO - Recent Kent State University graduates Tim Rooney (wrestling) and Maria Cegledy (softball) have been awarded the 2020 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award as announced by the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Faculty Athletics Representatives.
In its 32nd year, the Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award recognizes one female and one male student who have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.50 and have displayed good character, leadership and citizenship. The students are nominated during the year in which they complete their final season of eligibility. The $5,000 postgraduate scholarship is awarded in honor of Bob James, the second commissioner in MAC history (1964-71).
Kent State's sweep of the awards marks just the second time both awards have been given to the same university. Cegledy is the fifth Kent State female student-athlete to win the award and the first since Stephanie Haugh (women's soccer) won the award in 2015. Rooney is the second male student-athlete to win the award, joining Jordan Italiano (football) who won in 2016.
"Maria and Tim are both highly deserving of this award," Kent State Athletic Director Joel Nielsen said. "They embody the definition of a student-athlete with their classroom accomplishments, championships and helping others through community service."
Rooney graduated this spring with a degree in exercise science and was a MAC Medal of Excellence Award winner. Rooney posted a career grade-point average of 3.83 and was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection and a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American.
The native of Columbus, Ohio, also turned in an All-American season on the mat in 2019-2020. Rooney captured the MAC championship at 133 pounds, defeating Missouri's Allan Hart in overtime to win Kent State's first wrestling title since 2016. As a result, Rooney was named first-team All-MAC. After the season, Rooney earned All-America honors from the National Wrestling Coaches' Association.
Rooney finished the season at 26-9 overall and was seeded 13th in the NCAA tournament at 133 pounds before its cancellation. For his career, Rooney totaled 97 victories at the varsity level and 112 wins in his Kent State career and was a two-time NCAA qualifier. He also spent three years as a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Rooney plans on attending Baldwin Wallace University for its physician assistant program where he also hopes to volunteer as a wrestling coach.
Cegledy graduated this spring with a perfect 4.00 grade-point average with a degree in exercise science. She earned the MAC's Medal of Excellence Award, is a two-time Academic All-American and is one of 30 finalists for the softball Senior CLASS Award. She is also a two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete and a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete.
On the field, Cegledy starred as well. During her shortened senior season, Cegledy started all 19 games for the Golden Flashes in center field. She was second on the team in doubles (5) and third in runs scored (9) and RBIs (7).
Cegledy helped Kent State reach postseason competition in two of her three complete seasons, which included a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017 and National Invitational Softball Championships spot in 2019.
A two-time All-MAC second team performer, she recorded 21 multi-hit games and finished her career eighth in the program's record book for most times hit by a pitch (18).
In the Kent community, she has volunteered at the nearby King Kennedy Community Center to assist in preparing peace baskets for families in need during the winter holiday season. She is an advocate for the softball team's annual "She Will" game, which is dedicated to promoting the participation of girls and women in sports.
The Pataskala, Ohio, native plans on attending Ohio University for physical therapy school.
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