The story of Maynard 8 Miles is populated by a diverse cast of characters that includes family, friends, educators, teammates and opponents. Meet some of them here.

Carolyn Nicholson

Carolyn Nicholson

Carolyn Nicholson is the mother of author Brian Borland. Before that, however, she was a high school basketball star from Maynard, Iowa. Playing with the varsity already when she was in eighth grade, Carolyn finished her high school career as Maynard’s all-time leading scorer with 3,079 points and held the scoring record for out-forwards for 12 years.

Carolyn revolutionized the out-forward position, proving that shorter players could score just as well as the taller center-forwards who had dominated play to that point. She was the captain of the team that brought Maynard its first state title in 1956.

After graduating high school, Carolyn turned down a partial basketball scholarship to Iowa Wesleyan and married Glenn Borland. The couple made their home in Madison, WI.

Glenn Borland Jr.

Glenn Borland Jr.

Glenn Borland Jr. is author Brian Borland’s father. He was adopted by his parents Glenn Sr. and Linda as a 3-month-old. The Borlands lived in Oelwein, Iowa, where Glenn Jr. was a basketball star.

Glenn went on to play college basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he served as team captain and played memorable games against the likes of Wilt Chamberlain.

After graduating, Glenn, Carolyn and their three children lived primarily in Madison, where Glenn was a prominent educator and academic administrator.

The Borland Family

The Borland Family

Glenn Sr. and Linda Borland lived in Oelwein, Iowa, where Glenn Sr. was a foreman on the railroad there. Part of his job was to coordinate relief efforts around crashed or damaged trains. The city still has a display honoring his efforts.

The two adopted Glenn Jr. as a 3-month-old when they learned that they could not have children of their own. They lived in a small house with a very large garage where Glenn Jr. honed his basketball skills (including his famous hook shot) from a young age.

The Nicholson Family

The Nicholson Family

Carolyn’s parents were Glenn Nicholson and Ruth Holmstrom, who were married in 1932 in the grandstand at the Buchanan county fair. The couple had five children – four daughters and a son. The girls, from oldest to youngest were LouAnn, Betty, Carolyn and Glenda. Their son Jim was the youngest of the five children. Carolyn and Glenda would later make the team as eighth graders.

The Nicholsons bought a 240-acre farm in Maynard in 1941. Soon after, Glenn erected a basketball hoop in the barn and the family’s love affair with basketball was born. The Nicholsons also instilled a strong work ethic, with the children performing farm chores and held to high standards for their school work.

Glenn and other community members, including the newly arrived Fish family with their four school-aged girls, organized to convince the Maynard school district to reinstate its girls’ basketball program, giving the Nicholson girls the chance to fulfill their basketball dreams.

Lou Ann played on that first team as a senior, as did Betty, a sophomore. Carolyn and Glenda would join the team, both them a year early as eighth graders.

The Maynard Blue Devilettes

1T Team with Trophy

Players

  • LouAnn Nicholson – The oldest of the Nicholson girls, LouAnn was the leading scorer as a senior on the first Maynard team after the program’s reinstatement

  • Betty Nicholson – The second Nicholson daughter was a sophomore on the first Maynard team, and led the team to the district finals her senior year, in which she was also selected third team All-State

  • Carolyn Nicholson – Joined the team as an 8th grader in the ‘51-’52 season. Led the team to a state title her senior year (‘55-’56). First team All-State, Captain of State All-Tournament team. Graduated as Maynard’s all-time leading scorer and state leading scorer for out-forwards.

  • Glenda Nicholson – The youngest and tallest Nicholson sister. Also joined the team as an 8th grader. Leading scorer during the state championship season, and also selected first-team all state her senior year.

  • Marjorie Fish – Oldest of four Fish daughters and member of first post-reinstatement Maynard team. One year younger than Betty Nicholson.

  • Dorothy Fish – In the same class as Carolyn Nicholson, Dorothy was a key part of the Maynard state championship team

  • Barbara Fish – A freshman on the state championship team.

  • Virginia Henniges – A freshman forward on the state championship team, she was a starter and valuable third scorer. She would eventually become Mayard’s second all-time leading scorer and was the only player to play in 16 State tournament games.

  • Marlene “Snooky” Becker – A senior and Carolyn’s best friend on the state championship team. Snooky was a key defender and usually guarded the opponent’s fastest player.

  • Dorothy Fettkether – A junior on the state championship team, she was a 5’8” guard who usually covered the opponents tallest players.

Coaches

  • Bill Mehle – The coach of the Maynard program responsible for adding Carolyn to the team as an eighth grader. He led the team through three seasons.
  • Mel Kupferschmid – Took over the team after Mehle’s departure. “Coach Koop” led the team to several successful seasons, including the ‘55-’56 state championship. He was admired by his players and always worked to challenge the team while appreciating the importance of team chemistry.
  • Irene Harrington – A third-grade teacher in Maynard, she served as the team chaperone and the team used her home room as their locker room during home games. She helped the team maintain focus by restricting outside access during the heady days at the 1956 State Tournament.