LEGACY SECURED
Maehl extends family tradition with Nordman honor
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LJ Maehl tried to never take a single moment or memory for granted during her time as a student-athlete at Fort Dodge Senior High.
As such, winning the 2026 Florence Nordman Award wasn't a direct priority for the girls basketball program's five-player scoring and rebounding champion. Instead, it was more a final result of her passion for the game and her school.
"Some of my absolute best memories in high school are from wearing a Fort Dodge jersey and competing alongside many great athletes and teammates. What can I say, I'm a Dodger through and through," Maehl said. "I think when you are in the midst of it all, you aren't really focused on the individual awards that may come. You're living in the moment of gritty games, exciting plays and unexpected wins.
"When my time was done competing as a Dodger, it was such an honor to learn I received the Nordman Award. It's also humbling to know the (voting FDSH) coaches think so highly of me."
Maehl follows in the footsteps of her sister, Lainey, as the duo becomes just the third sister combination in school history to secure Nordman recognition. The Maehls join Madi and Tory Bennett and Mitzi and Mandy Pilcher.
"Growing up in a family with four generations of female Dodger athletes, I always knew what this award represented simply by the legacy of the incredible athletes who came before me," Maehl said. "But this award is also a reflection of every early morning workout, every late night at the gym, every sacrifice, and every moment I chose to keep pushing when it would have been easier to let up.
"It reminds me that all of the hard work was worth it. I'm incredibly blessed and so thankful to not only share being a Nordman Award winner with my sister, but with so many other amazing Dodger athletes I looked up to while growing up."
The 6-foot Maehl shattered every record on her immediate radar, scoring a Dodger all-time best 1,334 points and grabbing 686 rebounds in a steady four-year career on the hardwood. She was also a regular in both volleyball and track from the time she arrived at FDSH.
Being a varsity-ready athlete as a freshman can be both physically and mentally daunting. Maehl was thankful for the one season she had with her sister to help ease that transition.
"The time with Lainey in basketball, volleyball, and track (in 2022-23) was so valuable. Having her around to start out my high-school career and show me the ropes was something I will forever be grateful for," Maehl said. "I was also thankful for having my younger -- although bigger -- brother (Brody) in the halls for two years. Just like with my sister, having a built in best friend to help you and always have your back makes all the difference. Plus, I got to mess with him in the hallway."
Maehl is very proud of her deep FDSH roots. In addition to the accomplishments of the Maehl sisters and Brody being an all-district football and all-conference basketball player as just a sophomore, their father, Ryan, was an all-state basketball player in 1998, and their mother, Rachel, was a standout Dodger volleyball player during the program's run to state in 1997. Rachel's mother, Patricia (Askelson) Thompson, was on Fort Dodge's first state-qualifying volleyball and softball squads under Jackie Wilde and Ed McNeil, respectively.
The Nordman Award wasn't formally recognized until 1973, but Askelson was the FDSH Business Professional Women's Award winner the year before.
"I am a fourth-generation Dodger and third-generation FDSH student-athlete," Maehl said. "It means so much more to play in a Fort Dodge jersey because the roots run deep and the pride is strong.
"Fort Dodge makes you tough, supports its own unconditionally, and prepares you for the next chapter."
Maehl, who accumulated an overall grade point average of 3.895, stayed active and interested in a wide variety of activities beyond just athletics. In addition to being active in the community, Maehl was in Dodger Senate (student body president), National Honor Society (president), A'Cappella, junior leadership, an Iowa bar citizen award member, a student ambassador, the homecoming queen, and served as an Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union student-athlete advisory committee member. She was named academic all-state in volleyball.
"I approached high school (with the mentality of being) like a chameleon," Maehl said. "I tried my best to get involved in anything and everything: groups, sports, student-advisory, senate, NHS, choir. The best part was not only the ability to make a difference in our school, but also, all the people I had the opportunity to meet."
Maehl tried her best to stay even-keeled through both successful moments and disappointing outcomes. She will continue to apply that perspective at Northwest Missouri State as a member of the Bearcat basketball program.
"Don't listen to the hype, but also, block out the negative voices," Maehl said. "No matter how good or how bad you might play, hit, or run, they will always be there. It's important to not get distracted, and instead move full steam ahead.
"Work for your own success to make yourself proud -- not someone else. Always be true to yourself and your own morals. Follow your own heart, be relentless; the work is always worth it. And enjoy the ride."
Maehl added "I was stronger than I thought I was. Even though I had multiple things on my plate, I continued to accomplish my goals. My parents raised me to be strong, confident and bold. Proving that to myself was tricky at times."
Starting over in Maryville will be a steep hill to climb, but Maehl is ready for the journey ahead.
"I'm excited for a new challenge," Maehl said. "I accomplished a lot at FDSH, but I'm looking to push myself further, getting back to being uncomfortable, and striving toward new opportunities.
"I'm also so thrilled to be a part of the culture at Northwest. The coaches and girls have made it feel like a family already."
No matter what the future holds, Maehl knows her family and community will always provide her with unconditional support.
"Fort Dodge is home and always will be," Maehl said. "I know when life knocks me down, and it will, FD will have my back and encourage me to get back up and fight on.
"There is nothing like being a Dodger. I'll always be proud that I got to wear the name across my chest for the last four years."
TIMEOUT WITH LJ MAEHL
Vacation destination: Salem in the fall.
People I would like to have dinner with: Papa Thompson, Pat Summit, Jesus.
It would surprise people that I: drive a stick shift.
My sports role model: Cameron Brink.
My everyday role model: my mom.
I can't go a day without: a fun drink.
Nickname: LJ.
Superstition: my hair needs to be perfect before games. Look good, feel good, play good.
Most heated rivalry: Mason City or Humboldt.
Favorite road trip: Nike Nationals in Chicago.
What are you listening to right now? all things Justin Bieber and The Chicks.
Favorites…
Team: whatever team my siblings are playing for and Northwest Missouri State.
Athlete: Aja Wilson.
Class: anatomy and physiology.
Movie: Hannah Montana.
Binge watch: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Book: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?
Phone app: TikTok.
NORDMAN AWARD WINNERS
2026 LJ Maehl
2025 Meah McCaleb
2024 Mackenzie McIlrath
2023 Lainey Maehl
2022 Tory Bennett and Jalen Adams
2021 Tristin Doster
2020 Kathryn Cochrane
2019 Daphne Alstott
2018 Beth Murman
2017 Maggie Harvey
2016 Madi Bennett
2015 Mallory Kilian
2014 Lexi Astor
2013 Nicole Cook
2012 Tara Jackson
2011 Rachel Evans
2010 Abby Edwards
2009 Marisa Wilson
2008 Courtney Vaughn
2007 Molly Eslick
2006 Kendra Gansz
2005 Morgan Paulson
2004 Haley Griffith
2003 Toshia Burrell
2002 Katie Gronbach
2001 Sarah Feltman
2000 Jessica Salvatore
1999 Mandy Pilcher
1998 Molly Nelson
1997 Tammy Jordison
1996 Stacey Bergman
1995 Tammy Utley
1994 Jill Moser
1993 Courtney Kopp
1992 Eydie Stillwell
1991 Nikki Dilliard
1990 Clare Kelly
1989 Mitzi Pilcher
1988 Brooke Helmkamp
1987 Jenny Tibbitts
1986 Christi Herzberg
1985 Kris Huffman
1984 Monica Miller
1983 Melanie Broer and Mary Fischbach
1982, Jolene Peterson
1981 Ann Erickson
1980 Kim Pullen
1979 Brenda Danner
1978 Sue Reitsma
1977 Kim Barnes
1976 Jennifer Thompson
1975 Diane Johnson
1974 Kimberly Hearn
1973 Patricia Johnson