CLEVELAND, OHIO – Bowling Green’s Kathryn Haver (swimming & diving) and NIU's Mason Kauffman (wrestling) have been named the recipients of the 2022 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award by the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representatives as announced by the league office today.
In its 34th 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).
Haver concluded her career at BGSU winning the department's Community Service Individual of the Year award at the Ziggys. She earned Academic All-MAC twice and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, finishing with a 3.95 GPA. The Falcons were named a CSCAA Scholar All-American team in all three years with Haver on the roster, recording the fifth-highest GPA in the nation in 2021.
On the boards, Haver made consistent progress throughout her career. She had no diving experience prior to her career at Bowling Green but was a state-qualifying gymnast in high school. In her first season, she recorded her personal best of 207.30 in the 1 meter dive at FIU Relay Invite, placing fifth. The following season, she registered personal bests in the 1 meter (219.85) and 3 meter (210.86) against Buffalo. In her final season, she again bested her previous career-highs, scoring 234.83 in the 1 meter and 232.95 in the 3 meter. At the 2022 MAC Championships, she placed 17th in the 3 meter dive.
A two-time NCAA Championship qualifier and CoSIDA Academic All-American, Kauffman left his mark at NIU in both the classroom and on the mat. The 2021-22 season was one of Kauffman's best after going undefeated against Mid-American Conference competition. He won the 174-pound title at SIUE's Cougar Clash and was the MAC Co-Wrestler of the Week on Jan. 5 after reaching the title bout at the Illinois Matmen Open. At this year's MAC Championships, Kauffman was one of three Huskies to win an individual title. He was named the MAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week after winning the 174-pound title at the conference meet.
Additional Female 2022 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alayna Dunphy, University of Akron (Lacrosse)
Karlie Zumbro, Ball State University (Track & Field)
Kathryn Haver, Bowling Green State University (Swim & Dive)
Kyndal Bacon, University at Buffalo(Volleyball)
Lexi Siefert, Eastern Michigan University (Cross Country)
Eva Nikolai, Kent State University (Lacrosse)
Tara Kofmehl, Northern Illinois University (Gymnastics)
Cloe Pace, Ohio University (Swim & Dive)
Reilly Jacobson, Western Michigan University (Basketball)
Additional Male 2022 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alec Srodawa, Bowling Green State University(Soccer)
Brandon Burke, University at Buffalo (Track & Field)
Jared Wilson, Kent State University(Golf)
Mason Kauffman, Northern Illinois University (Wrestling)
Parker Bisek, University of Toledo (Track & Field)
Connor Charping, Western Michigan University (Baseball)
Past Bob James Award Winners
2022: Kathryn Haver, Bowling Green (swim and dive); Mason Kauffman, Northern Illinois (wrestling)
2021 Nikki Sorgi, Bowling Green (softball); Chris Adams, Ball State (tennis)
2020 Maria Cegledy, Kent State (softball); Timothy Rooney, Kent State (wrestling)
2019 Julia Beyer, Bowling Green (Gymnastics); Paul Garbarino, Bowling Green (Cross Country)
2018 Alyssa Heintschel, Ball State (Soccer); John McCarty, Central Michigan (Basketball)
2017 Kelsi White, Miami (Field Hockey); Tanner Barton, Ball State (Swimming & Diving)
2016 Julia Lombardi, Eastern Michigan (Soccer); Jordan Italiano, Kent State (Football)
2015 Stephanie Haugh, Kent State (Soccer); Dustin Page, Northern Illinois (Soccer)
2014 Lindsey Butterfield, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Kyle Smith, Central Michigan (Track & Field)
2013 Skylar Chew, Ball State (Soccer); Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois (Football)
2012 Kristin Hoffman, Northern Illinois (Volleyball); Briggs Orsbon, Ball State (Football)
2011 Christine Chiricosta, Bowling Green (Tennis); Jon Edgington, Miami (Baseball)
2010 Megan Chronister, Bowling Green (Gymnastics); Tim Hiller, Western Michigan (Football)
2009 Gonzalo Barinaga, Ball State (Football); Jillian Wolosiansky, Eastern Michigan (Volleyball)
2008 Wynn Michalak, Central Michigan (Wrestling); Stephanie Swiger, Bowling Green (Volleyball)
2007 Matt Lefeld, Bowling Green (Basketball); Jody Yednock, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics)
2006 David Mitchell, Miami (Cross Country/Track & Field); Marie Zidek, Northern Illinois (Volleyball)
2005 Burke Badenhop, Bowling Green (Baseball); Robin Davidson, Toledo (Soccer)
2004 Travis Barclay, Ball State (Football); Andrea Kremer, Miami (Track & Field)
2003 Brett Faustman, Central Michigan (Wrestling) and Katrina Kerns, Bowling Green (Track & Field)
2002 Anthony Malik, Bowling Green (Soccer); Kate Miller, Kent State (Basketball)
2001 Nick Iagulli, Miami (Track & Field); Jennifer Jarjosa, Bowling Green (Swimming)
2000 Cato Coleman, Miami (Track & Field); Laura Szczepanski, Ball State (Gymnastics)
1999 Wendy Feldman, Central Michigan (Volleyball); Justin Millard, Akron (Soccer)
1998 Desmond Johnston, Akron (Soccer); Janelle Tranquillo, Ball State (Field Hockey)
1997 Joseph Burch, Bowling Green (Soccer); Sarah Mikrut, Ball State (Gymnastics)
1996 Kristin Gaddis, Bowling Green (Cross Country/Track); Dustin Swinehart, Miami (Soccer)
1995 Dana Drew, Toledo (Basketball); Stephen Fetyko, Eastern Michigan (Swimming)
1994 Bob Dudley, Bowling Green (Football); Kris Parks, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
1993 Sander Scott, Central Michigan (Basketball); Kelly Weir, Ohio (Basketball)
1992 Jeff Bender, Central Michigan (Football); Julie Young, Western Michigan (Volleyball)
1991 Pat Jackson, Bowling Green (Football); Kristin McDaniel, Kent State (Track & Field)
1990 Linda Popovich, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Danny Rieman, Ball State (Baseball)
1989 Kim Keenan, Kent State (Cross Country/Track); Rick Winegardner, Ball State (Swimming)
