Steffanie was a four-year standout in track and field. During her career, she won three individual state titles in the short sprints, setting a 100m State Meet record which stood for 16 years. That performance also set a Red River school record which stood until Ashley Rone broke it in 2015.  She also was a key member of four separate state championship relay teams and finished as a state placewinner on four other occasions during her storied career. After high school, Steinke competed at Moorhead State University, where she earned All-American honors in 1989.