Celebrating Our Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

On Thursday, September 18, the Holy Family community gathered in the school cafeteria for the Holy Family Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Alumni, families, staff, and friends came together to honor three remarkable individuals whose achievements and character have helped shape the legacy of Fire athletics.

Meet our first class of inductees set the bar high: Bria Wetsch ’06, Peter Westerhaus ’11, and Coach Matt Thuli. Each has left a lasting mark on Holy Family and continues to inspire through their leadership, resilience, and commitment to others.

Bria Wetsch ’06

Bria’s name is still familiar to anyone who followed high school running in Minnesota. During her time at Holy Family, she earned multiple state titles and recognition as one of the top distance runners in the nation. After graduation, she continued her career at the University of Oregon, becoming an NCAA All-American and helping lead the Ducks to national success.

Her dedication carried her even further — all the way to the professional level, where she competed in three U.S. Olympic Trials. Bria’s journey reminds our students that hard work and faith in your own potential can take you places you never imagined when you first laced up your shoes in the Holy Family halls.

Peter Westerhaus ’11

Peter was a standout on the football field, earning the title of Mr. Minnesota Football in 2010 and leading the Fire to the Class 3A Prep Bowl. He went on to play for the University of Minnesota, but his athletic career was cut short by ulcerative colitis.

Instead of letting that stop him, Peter turned his experience into a mission. He founded Achieving Cures Together, a nonprofit focused on improving health through microbiome research. Today, he continues to lead and inspire as the CEO of Survey & Ballot Systems.

Peter’s story is one of courage and purpose — a reminder that the Fire spirit lives on long after the last whistle.

Coach Matt Thuli

For more than two decades, Coach Thuli has been part of the foundation of Holy Family athletics. As our school’s first activities director and longtime coach, he built programs rooted in integrity, teamwork, and faith.

His teams earned more than 300 wins and brought home a 2007 state basketball championship, but what stands out most is his influence on the students he coached. Coach Thuli has shaped generations of Fire athletes — not just as competitors, but as people.

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

The Hall of Fame will continue to grow, with new inductees added every three years. Each nomination will tell another chapter of our story — one that celebrates excellence, leadership, and the shared spirit of Holy Family.

Our first class sets the tone beautifully: three people who embody what it means to live out our values through passion, perseverance, and service.