Tender-hearted and caring of all those around her, UNA cross-country runner Katherine Steinman excels on the field and in the classroom.

Steinman can be spotted by students spending long hours on the track and the streets all around campus preparing for cross-country meets.

“Her personality is always bubbling over,” said head coach Scott Trimble. “It’s rare to see her without a smile on her face.”

She also spends many quiet hours

in Collier Library working just as hard at being a great student.

“Coach Trimble reminds us that athletics are second and academics are first,” Steinman said.

She said as a future social worker, she really wants to help people and make their lives better.

“Growing up, my parents were foster parents and the children that stayed with us were so amazing,” Steinman said. “It really made me want to help others that are not in position to always help themselves.”

The opportunity to meet other athletes before coming to campus has been beneficial, she said.

She is at the very beginning of her senior year but realizes the importance of the impact her actions can have on others.

“I want to be remembered as someone that was always nice to everybody,” Steinman said. “Somebody that always said ‘hello’ and hoped that I could make their day better.”

Steinman wakes up with the mindset of how she can make someone’s day better, Trimble said.

“She’s a phenomenal person and is one of the finest young women I have ever coached,” he said. “Losing her will be bittersweet.”