“I think I’ll go buy David a hot dog and a Coke!” (Jackie Saia photo)
She does it all, and she makes it look easy.
An Energizer Rabbit of a teacher who delights her young students, who greet her in public with screams of glee.
A woman who can rock the mic at soccer games — effortlessly reeling off hard-to-say-name after harder-to-say-name — while still cutting out classroom displays without missing a beat.
Or even once going outside the lines.
The woman most likely to buy me a Coke and a hot dog at games.
In other words, a saint.
Part of the trio which really runs Coupeville athletics, no matter what the titles on the office doors may say.
The only person I know to have “gone streaking,” AKA going for a run, for 1,617 days straight and counting.
Her name is Christi Messner, or, as Wolf spiker Katie Marti refers to her, “MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM.”
Youngest daughter of Paul and Marilyn Messner, lil’ sister to Barbi Ford and Aimee Bishop, friend to all, she is the glue which holds Wolf Nation together.
The Mighty Messner women — (l to r) Christi Messner, Barbi Ford, Aimee Bishop — are the true power behind the throne. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
I mean seriously, is there any problem Christi can’t solve?
Any room she can’t brighten up with an appearance?
I vote no, because she is the sunshine who sweeps away a foggy day on the prairie.
The slightly sarcastic straight shooter who impresses me every day.
Whether she’s rolling her eyes as her daughter sprawls across the press box table wanting to know if we all want to be in her BeReal, or being the driving force behind the car wash which got us over the line to fund the Athletic Trainer position, Christi is a quiet force of nature.
She’s a strong, independent woman raising a strong, independent daughter, but also part of a tight-knit group of like-minded Wolf Moms.
Which is probably why Katie is the same with her own pack of student/athletes.
Those are traits which come down from Christi’s mom, Marilyn, and something you can see in all the many Messner women.
Hanging out with mom. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
There is a version of Cow Town sports that doesn’t include the clan, with all its offshoots and added-on family members, but that’s a version which would represent our darkest timeline.
I choose to embrace the current reality and consider Cow Town blessed to have Christi and her family in it.
And that’s why today, as she’s probably doing 10,001 things (at the same time) and keeping everything (and everyone) clicking along, I’m taking a moment to tip my bottle of Coke her way.
She might not have bought me this one, but it can symbolically stand in for all the ones she has lobbed my way.
We’re flinging open the doors of the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame and inducting Christi Messner into the “Contributor” wing of our lil’ digital shrine to excellence.
After this you can find her hanging out at the top of the blog, under the Legends tab.
Or you can track her down in real life and tell her, “You’re awesome, Christi!”
Maybe even buy her a Coke of her own as you do so.
Coupeville Sports 