Anna Schwulst/The Falcon Freshman Bri Steigauf is a member of SPU’s gymnastics team. Steignauf, a biology major, intends to enter the field of veterinary science.

At the beginning of the year, all members of the SPU gymnastics team were asked to list their goals for the year.

Then, they drew names and constructed a simple poster for the person whose name they chose, using the list of goals. The posters hang in a neat line at the back of the practice gym in Royal Brougham Pavilion.

Freshman Brianna (Bri) Steigauf's poster hangs near the center of the row. Her name is cut out of bright construction paper.

Words and phrases cut from magazines are sprinkled across the page: Commit. Energy. Hard work. 100 percent. Performance. Imagine. Dream.

The poster sums her up well.

An 18-year-old from Richfield, Minn., Steigauf has mousey brown hair, a wide, infectious grin and a laugh that is quick to surface.

Vocally and practically, Steigauf demonstrates leadership to her teammates and to the staff.

"If we need equipment moved, if we need something carried, she's there," assistant coach Kathy Siwek says. "We don't have to ask. She just knows. We appreciate it very much."

Head coach Laurel Tindall said that Bri is still helpful in guiding the team even in the events she is not currently doing.

"She definitely has leadership qualities," Tindall said. "She is vocal, and she fits in well with the group."

Steigauf said that one of the biggest differences between the club gymnastics she did at Thompson's Academy of Gymnastics (TAGS) South through high school and her experience so far as a Falcon is closeness as a team.

"Club was more individual-oriented," she says. "You went to win for yourself. It was like, 'Yay, go--but I really want to beat you.' In college, there is only your team."

Steigauf suffers from facet (pronounced fuh-SET) syndrome, an irritation of the vertebrae that results in a constant dull ache and causes her leg to go numb. The condition was so bad that she took a month off from practice, returning again in January.

Currently, she is focusing on floor, her best event, and slowly adding in simple vault practices called timers. She has physical therapy every weekday as well.

Despite the injury, Steigauf has been the team encourager. Her personality allows her to be a leader without forcing the role.

"She doesn't necessarily think of facilitating relationships," Siwek says. "It's just built into her helpful personality. She brings fun and laughter, too...it's just who she is."

One of Steigauf's closest friends at SPU is junior Jessica (Jess) Carlson, who lives next door to her on Third Hill.

"She has a lot of energy," Carlson says, "and she likes people. She's also a hard worker."

Carlson explains that she has only known Steigauf since late fall quarter, but that their friendship was an "instant connection" once they discovered that they both loved the same TV shows.

"Now we try to talk every day, even if it's just in passing," Carlson says.

Steigauf puts others at ease, even on the practice floor. During warm-ups, she asked junior Tracy Smith how her test went. While waiting her turn to vault, she leaned against the wall, nibbling along the line of her fingers as if eating corn on the cob. She was the first to greet stragglers who come into practice late with a wave, a smile, and a hello.

When her chance on vault came, her leap skewed the mat, and Siwek called, "It's her fault, she did it!" She made Steigauf stay to switch out the boards before every successive jump. Steigauf just smiled and added her voice to the chorus of goodwill and encouragement from her new post near the pommel.

"She's very smart and very witty," Siwek said. "She's great to converse with and to get to know. I would call her a little bit of an old soul. She has a very unique personality."

Steigauf's career plans are unique as well. She is a biology major who intends to earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota after she graduates from SPU.

Some children dream of being veterinarians to treat domestic animals, but "Bri reaches beyond normal people and has a different goal in mind," Carlson said. "She wants to work with those animals that aren't household pets."

Steigauf is a huge cat fan and loves cheetahs in particular. She would also like to work with endangered Minnesotan wildlife in the northern part of the state, near the boundary waters--a place where she would love to live some day.

Steigauf is interested in environmental science too, and considers the global climate change to be an important and relevant issue.

She was inspired to become what she calls an "environmentalist vet" when she found an injured nestling and took it to the nearby wildlife shelter, where she had the opportunity to talk to one of the employees. That conversation motivated her to pursue her love of animals as a career plan.

Now Steigauf is facing the harsh reality of reaching those goals. The biology major at SPU, intended mostly for pre-med students, is a notoriously heavy credit load.

In addition, Steigauf will miss Thursday and Friday classes at least six weeks out of the rest of the year due to away meets.

"I'm impressed by anyone who can do that," Carlson says. "It seems that there are more expectations on athletes, but she's doing good so far."