CLEVELAND, OHIO – Kent State’s Maria Cegledy (softball) and Timothy Rooney (wrestling) have been named the recipients of the 2020 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award by the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representatives as announced by the league office today.
 
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 post-graduate scholarship is awarded in honor of Bob James, the second commissioner in Mid-American Conference history (1964-71).

Maria 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 NFCA Scholar-Athlete. 

On the field, Maria 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 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. 

Cegledy is a member of Advancement Student-Athlete Ambassadors, an elite group selected to represent Kent State's student-athletes in engagement with the generous athletics donors that help make it possible for a first-class college experience.

The Pataskala, Ohio native plans on attending Ohio University for physical therapy school. 

Like Cegledy, 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 Wrestling Coaches’ Association Scholar All-American. 

The Columbus native 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’s first wrestling title since 2016. 

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’s Physician’s Assistant’s school.