The Cincinnati Bengals signed 18 rookie free agents Tuesday, and College of Mount St. Joseph graduate Eric Johnson (Withrow) was among them. Johnson, a defensive tackle, graduated from the Mount in May 2003 and returned to the college last fall to take additional undergraduate classes. He helped the Lions to a 6-4 record last season.

Northern Kentucky University's Derrick Moeves (Highlands) was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week. Moeves, a sophomore right-hander, was 2-0, posted a 0.00 ERA in 13 innings on the mound, struck out 15 batters and walked three. Moeves is 5-3 this season and leads the GLVC with 82 strikeouts.

A pair of NKU seniors have been selected as the University's Athlete of Distinction Award winners. Kendra Zinser (Mercy), who led the NKU women's soccer team to the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals last season, earned the Margery Rouse Athlete of Distinction honor. Jesse Rupe, an All-GLVC performer for the NKU men's basketball team this past season, was chosen as the Vincent Schulte Athlete of Distinction.

For the second time in as many weeks, Miami University's John Slone (St. Xavier) was named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week. The junior catcher led the RedHawks with a .667 batting average in four games against Indiana and Akron.

Washington & Jefferson College water polo player Brandi Shoupe (Princeton) was named to the CWPA Western Division All-Conference Team. Shoupe received second-team all-conference honors in a season in which she has scored 33 goals with eight assists for 41 points. The freshman scored a career-high five goals in W&J's 14-0 defeat of Carthage on April 3.

For the second consecutive year, Xavier's Lauren Clary was named the Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Student-Athlete of the Year in voting among the conference's sports information directors. Stephanie Bauer and Kristen Clary were named to the six-member Academic All-Conference Team.

Ashland University recently named Michael Hull (Sycamore) its 2004 Male Student Athlete of the Year. Hull, a junior, is a returning co-captain on the football team. A wide receiver, he holds school records for single-game receptions (14), single-season receptions (72) and career receptions (139).