Karen Cimochowski had no idea what to do next.

The sophomore on the women's gymnastics team had just landed two of the best vaults of her career -- so to the delight of the crowd at last weekend's Cat Classic, she launched into an impromptu victory dance that Deion Sanders would have been proud of.

"Last year I always took a step on vault," Cimochowski said. "This was the first time I stuck my vaults."

"She was so excited, I don't think she had control over herself," teammate and roommate Kerry Slattery added. "The Missouri crowd was going wild."

The eccentric dance was well-deserved for the Levittown native, who followed up her vaults with a career-high 9.8 on the uneven bars to help lead the Lady Lions to a Cat Classic title.

"It was my best meet, and it was really neat because I hit for the team," Cimochowski said. "I felt like I did everything for the team."

Team achievements have always overshadowed the individual goals of the vocal Cimochowski, whose calls of encouragement can be constantly heard ringing throughout the gym.

"She's always pulling for the team," Slattery said. "She's never in there for herself."

Cimochowski made an immediate impact with the Lady Lions last season, scoring a 9.4 on her first bar routine, and posting solid scores on vault and bars ever since. Last weekend, however, was the culmination of her young career -- at least so far.

"With a few meets under her belt, she was just more confident," Coach Steve Shephard said.

Confidence is something that the former state champion exudes, both in competition and in practice.

"We have to go all out and not be afraid," she said. "One of our goals is to take our practice and put it into the meets."

"She's always honest with everyone -- it really helps out a lot," Slattery added.

Slattery, Cimochowski and classmate Tracy Kerner -- who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this year -- form a close-knit portion of the Lady Lions. Last weekend, Kerner traveled to the Cat Classic to encourage her teammates.

"It was good because Tracy Kerner was there," Cimochowski said. "She motivates us so much."

And while Kerner can only watch from the sidelines this season, the bond between the three remains tight.

"The three of us have been best friends since we got here, and we'll probably be that way forever," Slattery said. "We probably don't spend any time out of the gym without each other."