The meet had ended. The scores were announced. Most of the cheering crowd had gone home.

But gymnast Kerry Slattery and her teammates stayed to sign autographs last Friday after Penn State's second-place finish between Alabama and Oregon State.

But despite the autographs and screaming fans, the senior tri-captain still finds time to perform other tasks -- like being a student, a daughter and, most importantly, a best friend.

Slattery was recruited to be a Lady Lion gymnast, but she had other ideas in mind upon arrival.

"I chose Penn State because of its academic reputation and athletic reputation," she said.

Slattery's main commitment is getting an education. A nutrition major who is minoring in exercise and sport science, Slattery wants to attend graduate school for sports nutrition.

As if that was not enough, she is also involved with various clubs at Penn State. She participates in the Student-Athlete Advisory Board as well as Second Mile, an organization that establishes pen pals with underpriveleged children.

"I hope that I can be a role model," Slattery said.

Hard work and dedication are no strangers to any athlete. But Slattery is not any athlete. She rarely finds free time to enjoy herself, as studying and gymnastics take up most of her life.

But instead of complaining about heavy workloads and long practice hours, Slattery takes it in stride, just like her role models -- her parents.

"They taught me so much about life," Slattery said. "They are committed 100 percent to everything they do."

When Slattery came to visit Penn State, she was intrigued by the coaches and the team work ethic. The Lady Lion spirit and motivation were the main attractions.

"What really impressed me was the dedication," Slattery said. "I really wanted to be a part of it."

Also a part of it are Slattery's three best friends and roommates. Including tri-captains Tracy Kerner and Karen Cimochowski, Slattery lives with her best friend since third grade, Julie Herbster.

Without her friends, Slattery said she would struggle to deal with college pressures.

"I really couldn't ask for more special people in my life," she said. "I really consider myself very fortunate."

Her roomates are just as appreciative.

"She's always there for everybody," Kerner said, adding that Slattery puts everyone before herself.

Being there for her peers is just one of Slattery's qualities. She said she likes to be a leader, adding that she loves giving advice. Her experiences at Penn State qualify her to answer questions and give advice to her teammates.

One of those experiences -- and Slattery's greatest Penn State memory -- was standing with her team on the award stand her freshman year after it won NCAA Northeast Regionals.

She said that this year the Lady Lions have the potential to be national champions. Slattery believes that she must perform well individually to ensure the team's success.

Slattery struggled in her first meet due to a sore ankle, falling off the uneven bars and scoring a 8.75. In the Lady Lions' next meet, Slattery was much improved, scoring a 9.575.

Whatever the results may be, nothing will stop Slattery from being the dedicated, hard worker that she is.