Bowling Green State University Athletics
Malika Haver Earns MAC's Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award
August 25, 2022 | Women's Swimming & Diving, Student-Athlete Services
Diver captures one of the conference's most prestigious honors, second consecutive winner from BGSU
CLEVELAND – Bowling Green State University diver Malika Haver has earned one of the most prestigious individual awards given out by the Mid-American Conference. Haver has been named the 2022 female recipient of the MAC's Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award.Â
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).
Northern Illinois wrestler Mason Kauffman was the 2022 male recipient of the award.
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.
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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.
Haver becomes the 11th BGSU female student-athlete to win the Bob James Memorial Award. She is the second consecutive winner, with Nikki Sorgi of the BGSU Softball team winning last year. In 2019, BGSU swept the award, with gymnast Julia Beyer and cross country runner Paul Garbarino winning. Bowling Green has had more male (seven -- tied for first), female (11), and overall (18) recipients of the award than any other school. BGSU has had six more overall winners than second-place Ball State (12), and no other MAC institution has had more than seven overall recipients.
Additional Female 2022 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alayna Dunphy, Akron (Lacrosse)
Karlie Zumbro, Ball State (Track & Field)
Kyndal Bacon, Buffalo (Volleyball)
Lexi Siefert, Eastern Michigan (Cross Country)
Eva Nikolai, Kent State (Lacrosse)
Tara Kofmehl, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics)
Cloe Pace, Ohio (Swim & Dive)
Reilly Jacobson, Western Michigan (Basketball)
Additional Male 2022 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alec Srodawa, Bowling Green (Soccer)
Brandon Burke, Buffalo (Track & Field)
Jared Wilson, Kent State (Golf)
Parker Bisek, Toledo (Track & Field)
Connor Charping, Western Michigan (Baseball)
Bob James Award Winners
2022 -- Malika 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)Â
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 -- Jillian Wolosiansky, Eastern Michigan (Volleyball); Gonzalo Barinaga, Ball State (Football)
2008 -- Stephanie Swiger, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Wynn Michalak, Central Michigan (Wrestling)
2007 -- Jody Yednock, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics); Matt Lefeld, Bowling Green (Basketball)
2006 -- Marie Zidek, Northern Illinois (Volleyball); David Mitchell, Miami (Cross Country/Track & Field)
2005 -- Robin Davidson, Toledo (Soccer); Burke Badenhop, Bowling Green (Baseball)
2004 -- Andrea Kremer, Miami (Track & Field); Travis Barclay, Ball State (Football)
2003 -- Katrina Kerns, Bowling Green (Track & Field); Brett Faustman, Central Michigan (Wrestling)
2002 -- Kate Miller, Kent State (Basketball); Tony Malik, Bowling Green (Soccer)
2001 -- Jennifer Jarjosa, Bowling Green (Swimming); Nick Iagulli, Miami (Track & Field)
2000 -- Laura Szczepanski, Ball State (Gymnastics); Cato Coleman, Miami (Track & Field)
1999 -- Wendy Feldman, Central Michigan (Volleyball); Justin Millard, Akron (Soccer)
1998 -- Janelle Tranquillo, Ball State (Field Hockey); Desmond Johnston, Akron (Soccer)
1997 -- Sarah Mikrut, Ball State (Gymnastics); Joe Burch, Bowling Green (Soccer)
1996 -- Kristin Gaddis, Bowling Green (Cross Country/Track); Dustin Swinehart, Miami (Soccer)
1995 -- Dana Drew, Toledo (Basketball); Stephen Fetyko, Eastern Michigan (Swimming)
1994 -- Kris Parks, Ohio (Cross Country/Track); Bob Dudley, Bowling Green (Football)
1993 -- Kelly Weir, Ohio (Basketball); Sander Scott, Central Michigan (Basketball)
1992 -- Julie Young, Western Michigan (Volleyball); Jeff Bender, Central Michigan (Football)
1991 -- Kristin McDaniel, Kent State (Track & Field); Pat Jackson, Bowling Green (Football)
1990 -- Linda Popovich, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Danny Rieman, Ball State (Baseball)
1989 -- Kim Keenan, Kent State (Cross Country/Track); Rick Winegardner, Ball State (Swimming)
TOTAL BOB JAMES AWARD RECIPIENTS BY SCHOOL
18 – BOWLING GREEN (7 male, 11 female)
12 – Ball State (7, 5)
7 – Central Michigan (6, 1)
7 – Kent State (2, 5)
7 – Miami (5, 2)
6 – Northern Illinois (3, 3)
3 – Eastern Michigan (1, 2)
2 – Akron (2, 0)
2 – Ohio (0, 2)
2 – Toledo (0, 2)
2 – Western Michigan (1, 1)
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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).
Northern Illinois wrestler Mason Kauffman was the 2022 male recipient of the award.
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.
Â
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.
Haver becomes the 11th BGSU female student-athlete to win the Bob James Memorial Award. She is the second consecutive winner, with Nikki Sorgi of the BGSU Softball team winning last year. In 2019, BGSU swept the award, with gymnast Julia Beyer and cross country runner Paul Garbarino winning. Bowling Green has had more male (seven -- tied for first), female (11), and overall (18) recipients of the award than any other school. BGSU has had six more overall winners than second-place Ball State (12), and no other MAC institution has had more than seven overall recipients.
Additional Female 2022 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alayna Dunphy, Akron (Lacrosse)
Karlie Zumbro, Ball State (Track & Field)
Kyndal Bacon, Buffalo (Volleyball)
Lexi Siefert, Eastern Michigan (Cross Country)
Eva Nikolai, Kent State (Lacrosse)
Tara Kofmehl, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics)
Cloe Pace, Ohio (Swim & Dive)
Reilly Jacobson, Western Michigan (Basketball)
Additional Male 2022 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alec Srodawa, Bowling Green (Soccer)
Brandon Burke, Buffalo (Track & Field)
Jared Wilson, Kent State (Golf)
Parker Bisek, Toledo (Track & Field)
Connor Charping, Western Michigan (Baseball)
Bob James Award Winners
2022 -- Malika 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)Â
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 -- Jillian Wolosiansky, Eastern Michigan (Volleyball); Gonzalo Barinaga, Ball State (Football)
2008 -- Stephanie Swiger, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Wynn Michalak, Central Michigan (Wrestling)
2007 -- Jody Yednock, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics); Matt Lefeld, Bowling Green (Basketball)
2006 -- Marie Zidek, Northern Illinois (Volleyball); David Mitchell, Miami (Cross Country/Track & Field)
2005 -- Robin Davidson, Toledo (Soccer); Burke Badenhop, Bowling Green (Baseball)
2004 -- Andrea Kremer, Miami (Track & Field); Travis Barclay, Ball State (Football)
2003 -- Katrina Kerns, Bowling Green (Track & Field); Brett Faustman, Central Michigan (Wrestling)
2002 -- Kate Miller, Kent State (Basketball); Tony Malik, Bowling Green (Soccer)
2001 -- Jennifer Jarjosa, Bowling Green (Swimming); Nick Iagulli, Miami (Track & Field)
2000 -- Laura Szczepanski, Ball State (Gymnastics); Cato Coleman, Miami (Track & Field)
1999 -- Wendy Feldman, Central Michigan (Volleyball); Justin Millard, Akron (Soccer)
1998 -- Janelle Tranquillo, Ball State (Field Hockey); Desmond Johnston, Akron (Soccer)
1997 -- Sarah Mikrut, Ball State (Gymnastics); Joe Burch, Bowling Green (Soccer)
1996 -- Kristin Gaddis, Bowling Green (Cross Country/Track); Dustin Swinehart, Miami (Soccer)
1995 -- Dana Drew, Toledo (Basketball); Stephen Fetyko, Eastern Michigan (Swimming)
1994 -- Kris Parks, Ohio (Cross Country/Track); Bob Dudley, Bowling Green (Football)
1993 -- Kelly Weir, Ohio (Basketball); Sander Scott, Central Michigan (Basketball)
1992 -- Julie Young, Western Michigan (Volleyball); Jeff Bender, Central Michigan (Football)
1991 -- Kristin McDaniel, Kent State (Track & Field); Pat Jackson, Bowling Green (Football)
1990 -- Linda Popovich, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Danny Rieman, Ball State (Baseball)
1989 -- Kim Keenan, Kent State (Cross Country/Track); Rick Winegardner, Ball State (Swimming)
TOTAL BOB JAMES AWARD RECIPIENTS BY SCHOOL
18 – BOWLING GREEN (7 male, 11 female)
12 – Ball State (7, 5)
7 – Central Michigan (6, 1)
7 – Kent State (2, 5)
7 – Miami (5, 2)
6 – Northern Illinois (3, 3)
3 – Eastern Michigan (1, 2)
2 – Akron (2, 0)
2 – Ohio (0, 2)
2 – Toledo (0, 2)
2 – Western Michigan (1, 1)
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Players Mentioned
Diver
/ Women's Swimming & DivingBG Swim/Dive : Ava Vial Postmeet 2.2
Monday, February 05
BG Swim/Dive : Coach Perkins Postmeet 2.4
Sunday, February 04
BG Ziggys : Daisy Platts
Monday, April 25
BG S/D : Coach Perkins Post-Mac's 2.26
Sunday, February 27