At Napa High, Kristi Nelson was a four-year volleyball and four-year soccer performer, a three-year track star, and a Powder Puff football player. Among her many honors were: Soccer— All-MEL and All-County and played on two MEL championship teams; Volleyball— three times MEL All-League and All-County, team captain in her senior year; Athlete of the Week, Player of the Year and Team Co-MVP, an outstanding player on two MEL championship volleyball teams, and a member of the first Napa High School team to win the Northern California Division II Volleyball Championship. NHS Principal/NHS Hall of Fame coach Barbara Franco remembered Nelson as outstanding. “Kristi was a joy to coach and I will always remember her for her spunk, winning attitude and leadership on the volleyball court.” Justin Aaron, NHS soccer coach, also spoke highly of her. “As great of an athlete as Kristi was, and all of the accomplishments and awards that came her way, what impresses me most about her, is her character.” Nelson was an ASB officer, four year honor roll member and won an Outstanding Citizenship Award. After graduation she attended Sonoma State where she starred on the volleyball team for four years and was team captain for two years. Elected in her first year of eligibility, Nelson-Crickmore joins her sister and former teammate Keri Nelson-Hamby in the NHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
