A slimmed-down Ben Roethlisberger whistled practice passes to his receivers for the first time in five weeks, and a teammate didn't need to watch video tape to know what he'd just seen.

"He's been working hard at home," defensive end Brett Keisel said. "He wants to be great this year. So, hopefully, he will."

Even if considerable repair work needs to be done, on the field and off it.

The two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback didn't talk to reporters after practicing yesterday for the first time since drawing a six-game suspension April 21 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

The penalty resulted from a Georgia college student's allegation that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her in a nightclub, and though he does not face criminal charges in the case, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the quarterback's drinking and carousing failed to meet the league's expectations for player behavior.

Roethlisberger took part in voluntary practices April 19 and 20, but was barred from working out again until he underwent a league-ordered behavioral evaluation and was cleared by Goodell to resume team activities. The commissioner still hasn't decided if Roethlisberger's suspension will be reduced to four games.

COLLEGE GOLF

HONDA TO OKLAHOMA STATE'S HEDWALL

Caroline Hedwall of Oklahoma State has won the Honda Sports Award for golf.

The sophomore from Loddekopinge, Sweden won this year's NCAA individual championship, tying the NCAA scoring record by shooting 12 under.

The Honda Award is given annually to the top female athlete in each of 12 NCAA sports.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

HUSKIES' LAWRIE REPEATS AS TOP PLAYER

Washington senior pitcher Danielle Lawrie has been named national softball player of the year for the second consecutive time.

Lawrie is only the second player in history to repeat as national softball player of the year. She is 40-3 with a 1.00 ERA and a school-record 24 shutouts this season.

RUNNING

69-YEAR-OLD TOOK SHORTCUT IN LONDON

A 69-year-old man who was credited with running the London Marathon in a record time for his age group has been disqualified for taking a 10-mile shortcut.

Questions were raised after Anthony Gaskell finished the April 25 race in 3 hours, 5 minutes, the fastest ever for the over-65 age group.

Gaskell said he dropped out in the middle of the race because of injury and walked to the finish, cutting out part of the course.