Junior Anna Steinman, today's INTRODUCING … featured student-athlete, has helped Salisbury win all five team cross country and track & field team championships during her collegiate running career.  Traversing the snow-covered course, Steinman placed sixth overall at the 2011 CAC Cross Country championship race, helping the Sea Gulls to their fourth-straight team title.  Steinman and her teammates, as well as all the CAC runners and teams, will compete in the NCAA regional championship races this weekend. 

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?  When I was younger my mom always encouraged my sister and I to be active, so we were always running around.  It was always a lot of fun for me, especially sprinting against my friends just for fun.  Since my school didn’t have a track, I decided to try cross country in middle school.  Ever since then I began to fall in love with running and how good I felt after I finished.  I owe a lot to my high school coach because she was always so encouraging and positive, which is why I wanted to continue competitively running in college.  I have been running cross country and track at SU since freshmen year, and I couldn’t imagine a day without running or being active.

What is your favorite spot on campus?   My favorite spot would have to be the MAGGS gym.  I’m in there everyday for most of my classes and practice, and I see most of my friends and teammates in there, so it’s become like a second home to me.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit? My favorite place other than home and campus is New York City.  Being there clears my head and helps me relax because there’s always so much to do.  Walking around the neighborhoods with my best friend from home is one of my favorite things to do when I there.  We always walk up to Rockefeller Center during the winter to see the Christmas Tree and all the lights.  Then we try to get into this restaurant, Max Brenner (if it isn’t too long of a wait), which has the best chocolate desserts ever.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  I’m also part of SAM (Student Athlete Mentor) and I am on the steering committee of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee).

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   In 2010, our women’s track & field team won our first CAC outdoor championship.  I was so honored to be a part of that team and being able to contribute.  It was such a memorable day and everyone gave his or her best efforts in order for us to achieve our goal.  The day started off with an exciting 10,000-meter run where we took 1-3 and ended with a trophy.  I will never forget how amazing that day felt.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  I think many college students are worried about finding jobs after graduation.  It’s almost all we hear about these days.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I’m a Physical Education major because I have always wanted to have an active career.  The more I get into my studies, I realize how huge of an issue obesity is for young children.  As a PE teacher, I want to help make a difference in children’s lives by helping them learn to make healthy choices and have fun doing it.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it? I would want to help children who face childhood obesity because it is something that can be prevented.  It is only fair to help kids learn healthy habits and provide them with ways to improve health through providing them with healthier foods and opportunities for activity that they find fun.  Kids deserve to have happy, long lives.   

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  My current cross-country and track coach, Coach Jim Jones, because he has been so supportive throughout my athletic career as well as academic studies over the past few years.  Not only does he care about how well you perform, but he genuinely cares about all his athletes’ lives.  He has helped me get through many obstacles and he’s always been there to push me to do the best that I can and “believe” (as he always tells his athletes).

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  I love going for casual runs with the girls on my team.  It’s a great time for all of us to just relax and talk about anything we want.  We’ve all become to close that it’s like being with your family. 

What is your favorite source of information (TV, book, magazine, website, friends in dining hall, etc.)?   Whenever I’m on the computer, I find myself on stumbleupon.com often.  It’s such a great way to learn about interesting new things, find good music, read inspiring quotes, read funny jokes, and find yummy recipes.  It becomes addicting, but I love sharing the funny things with my friends and laughing along with them.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Be happy and have fun.  They are still so young and they shouldn’t take anything too seriously.  They need to enjoy life and smile as often as they can.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  I have always been a New York Mets fan because it runs in my family.  It’s sad that they haven’t been doing too well over the past few years, but I will never give up on them.  Going to Mets’ games always makes for a fun family gathering. 

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    

I would have dinner with my twin sister, Lea, because we have become extremely close over the past four years since we went to college in separate states.  Whenever we are home together, we cook dinner together while listening to music and whenever we sit down we talk non-stop.  She’s also been so supportive of me running in college, trying to come cheer me on at as many races she can come to.  Sometimes it seems like she gets more excited for my races than I am, which makes me happy and lucky to have a twin sister who’s always there for me.

I’d like to have dinner with Vince Lombardi because he is definitely one of the best coaches and motivators of all time.  He would probably have so many inspirational things to say and I’m sure he would give good advice when it comes to life and athletics. 

I’d also like to have dinner with Shalane Flanagan because she is such an accomplished runner, holding the U.S. records for distance events.  It would be interesting to hear what her life was like in regard to training in order to reach such success.