Messenger photo by Britt Kudla The 2024 Florence Nordman Award winner, Mackenzie McIlrath, with her parents, Rick and Jennifer. The honor annually goes to the top female senior athlete at Fort Dodge Senior High.

Mackenzie McIlrath was a prominent fixture of the 2024 senior class.

To say the Fort Dodge senior was busy, would be an understatement.

McIlrath kept her schedule loaded with athletics, academics, clubs and volunteer hours.

There was little time for anything else, but McIlrath would always find time to squeeze it in if someone asked or needed help.

Her ability in the athletic realm kept her moving all the time and with her abilities in four different sports, McIlrath was named the 2024 Florence Nordman Award winner.

The award is handed out annually to the top female athlete in the senior class.

“It means a lot (earning the award) having played in 16 varsity seasons of sports (four sports for four years) in my high school career,” McIlrath said. “When you play sports all year round, it kind of is your whole life, and there’s nothing else that I’d rather be doing than getting to spend more time with my teammates and being able to play in so many games with my favorite people and making the best memories while doing so.”

Since her freshman year McIlrath played four years of volleyball, basketball, track and softball.

In volleyball she was an Iowa Alliance Conference North Division honorable mention as a junior and she was on the first team as a senior.

She also received the Jackie Wilde Award, handed out to the top senior volleyball player at FDSH.

She was a two-time IACN second-team selection on the hardwood as well as reaching the Academic All-State team. She was a state high jump qualifier in track as a sophomore.

“She was an absolute hammer as a four year athlete,” said FDSH track coach Todd Constable. “I’ve been head coach for 18 years and she is one of the hardest working kids that I’ve ever coached. I’m pretty reserved throwing out those accolades, but she is well deserving.

“She is a great leader and such a positive role model for other kids. She set the tone in practice, and would do anything you asked of her.”

In softball she was twice an honorable mention as well as being picked for the Academic All-State team.

“You saw that (hard work and dedication) in every sport she was in and with school and her involvement as well as volunteering,” said FDSH softball coach Andi Adams. “She is a leader and the epitome of it — she is very mature.

“She has a bright future ahead of her to further her success.”

When she stepped away from sports, she was just as busy. McIlrath was the class Salutatorian (second highest GPA at 3.98).

McIlrath was President of the Health Occupation Students of America club, officer of National Honor Society and executive board member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

She was also the Vice president of the senior class in Dodger Senate, as well as part of the Junior Leadership of Fort Dodge, Ambassadors and earned a Silver Chord for 100 hours of community service.

“I could always count on her to do something, like have breakfast with the elementary kids, because she remembered the impact that it had on her,” Adams said. “She understood the importance of being involved.

“It had to be just exhausting, and it went far beyond time management. She never made excuses and always got the job done.”

All while being involved in high school, McIlrath also graduated from Iowa Central with an AA degree.

McIlrath will attend the University of Iowa and major in Neuroscience with a minor in microbiology.

On the softball field McIlrath played center field for the Dodgers. She drove in 18 runs with 23 hits and scored 17 runs. She was also a member of the 2021 state championship team.

“I think my biggest achievement in athletics was making the state tournament in softball and track,” McIlrath said. “My biggest achievement in high school was definitely graduating from Iowa Central while being involved in so much.”

In her final season on the hardwood, she finished with 184 points and averaged 8.8 points per game as well as 4.8 rebounds

“She always came with a good attitude and was always a good listener,” said FDSH basketball coach Scott Messerly. “I saw her improve every year and she always played hard.

“She is one of the better athletes to come through. As a teammate — she was second to none.”

Even with something going on all the time, McIlrath was always a person that her coaches could count on.

“I never had to worry about Kenzie,” Constable said. “I knew if I penciled her in she would do it. She had a great attitude.

“She is going to be successful in anything she does. She is a great kid and an even better person.”

McIlrath will always remember her time as a Dodger and the family that she grew a part of.

“Being a Dodger is special because unlike some bigger schools that we play, it always feels like I’m a part of a family — something bigger than just sports,” McIlrath said. “Being in sports and school in general, I know that I always have someone to talk to if I need it, and it opens the door to so many more opportunities around me.”

McIlrath’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed as all of her coaches have seen the effect on her teammates, younger players and fans around her.

“Kenzie is truly an inspiring kid for all of her peers to look up to. She has not only high expectations for herself, but also for all those around her,” said former FDSH volleyball coach Lexi Astor. “She’s not afraid to put in the work and has definitely earned all of the honors she has received. She gets the importance of success in the classroom and how that work ethic directly translates to athletics.

“She’s also a phenomenal teammate and has always been helpful and kind to the underclassmen. That speaks volumes as a leader as they uplift those behind them.”

As far as being busy and successful at the same time, McIlrath’s secret was simple — surround yourself with good people.

“I think who I surrounded myself with during my senior year helped me so much to graduate with my AA degree while playing sports and being involved,” McIlrath said. “My friends, family, and teachers always made sure I was doing okay with everything and motivated me to keep going.”

Through her years of high school and even before, McIlrath always had a supporting staff at home that helped guide her.

“My parents (Rick and Jennifer) have been a huge influence,” McIlrath said. They have always made sure I’m doing things at 100 percent, but also reminding me that the person I am and the way that I treat others and myself is always more important than the achievements that I earn.”