First row [from left to right]: Angie Toothaker (2004), Brandon Thiesse (1998), Nick Lardy (1986). Second row: Brent Schultze (1996), Sam Waletich (2009), Matt Reeve (2007). Third row: Marlene Ditzler (1957), Jack Houfer (1955), Megan Sandhurst (2007).

FAIRMONT – One of the most important priorities for Fairmont High School Activities Director Mat Mahoney is honoring the people who positively impacted the Cardinal athletic program. This includes people who go beyond the playing field. Individuals who have spent years involved in Fairmont activities, using their skills to promote the program in a positive light.

Marlene Ditzler (1957) exemplifies this role, spending over 40 years in a supervisory position overseeing all sports at Fairmont. Ditzler is joined by Jack Houfer (1955), Nick Lardy (1986), Brent Schultze (1996), Brandon Thiesse (1998), Angie Toothaker (2004), Megan Sandhurst (2007), Matt Reeve (2007) and Sam Waletich (2009) in the 2026 Fairmont High School Hall of Fame Class.

“We want the best student-athletes,” Mahoney said. “We want the coaches, advisors and community members who have had a special interest in our activities. …There are so many cool stories with everybody that bring back great memories from Fairmont Cardinal athletics.”

Ditzler played basketball, softball and track during her time at the Cardinals. She spent 16 seasons as the cheerleading coach for Fairmont and another 43 years helping to run a wide range of Cardinals-related sporting activities.

Houfer was the longest tenured Cardinal on this list after spending his time in Fairmont playing basketball and football. He was a part of the historic 1955 basketball team that made a bid in that year’s state tournament after going 9-9 on the season.

The Cardinals beat Sherburn and Garden City to earn a matchup against Austin in the opening round. Picked to lose by 20 points by some media outlets, Fairmont held their own, leading for most of the game before falling 76-69 in overtime.

After attending Mankato’s Teacher College after high school, Houfer returned to Fairmont to work at 3M and the National Guard. He was also a girls’ basketball coach for Fairmont and Granada-Huntley East Chain for more than 30 years, using his “defense wins championships” mindset throughout his tenure.

Lardy still holds his name in the Fairmont record books after his successful career as a thrower for the Cardinal track and field team. His 56’10 ½ ” toss in 1986 holds as the longest in program history to this day. He spent four seasons on varsity under the guidance of throws coach Lonny Malcom, who Lardy said was one of the main inspirations for his time in the sport.

During his time with the Cardinals, Lardy qualified for state each season, placing third as a sophomore (54’11”) and fifth as a junior (54’8 ¼”) and senior (54’7″). Lardy got top-three finishes in the South Central Conference every season on varsity, placing first as a sophomore.

While being a participant in three sports, football, basketball and baseball, for the Cardinals, Schultze was more remembered for his time on the gridiron. Among the countless memories from Fairmont, one of his favorites was beating Blue Earth in 1995 to create a three-way tie for the conference title with them and St. Peter.

Schultze went on to play football for four years at Gustavus Adolphus College as a safety and on special teams. He carries the record for most punt return yards in a career with the Gusties, accumulating 653 yards and including a 72-yard punt return touchdown against Hamline in 1998.

After college, Schultze returned to Fairmont to give back to the athletic community. Coaching football, basketball and baseball for a handful of seasons. He is currently the Chief Credit Officer at Bank Midwest.

Another former Cardinal remembered for his time on the football field is Thiesse, who also played basketball and tennis. Thiesse helped Fairmont make state tournament appearances in 1996 and 1997, starting a long winning streak over rival Blue Earth and gaining control of the Little Brown Jug as a freshman. He was also one of the team’s captains during his senior season.

He continued his football career at South Dakota State University, starting as a freshman and eventually being a North Central All-Conference linebacker. Thiesse is currently a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Old National Bank in Mankato.

Toothaker was remembered for her major contributions to basketball and track for the Cardinals. She also participated in volleyball.

A three-time South Central All-Conference Award winner and Fairmont Sentinel All-Area team nominee, Toothaker finished her time on the hardwood with 962 points and 92 3-pointers made, holding records in single-season stats such as 3-pointers made (34) and single-game records like steals (11) and free throw attempts (16).She helped guide Fairmont to a 16-win season in 2001-2002, leading the team in points, rebounds, steals and assists.

Toothaker still holds a school track record in the 4 by 200 and placed 3rd at state in 2002. She was an Academic All-State in volleyball and basketball.

After a career-ending injury took away her athletic career at South Dakota State University, Toothaker went on to graduate from Bethel University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance, Marketing, and International Business.

Sandhurst and Waletich were part of the famous 2007 Fairmont basketball team that made state for the first time in program history. The Cardinals topped Minnesota Valley Lutheran to advance to the state tournament, but eventually fell to Albany High School, ending the historic run.

It was against the Huskies that Sandhurst passed the 1,000-point mark for Fairmont. She was a team captain in volleyball, basketball and softball, earning All-Conference honors in the latter two, and attended Waldorf College to compete in both.

She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and has since worked at Franklin Elementary in Mankato.

Waletich, a sophomore point guard for the Fairmont 2007 state tournament team, also reached the milestone of 1,000 career points during her time with the Cardinals. Waletich also competed in volleyball and track.

Waletich pursued a career in dentistry after school. A dental hygienist by training, she currently works in sales and consulting with ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers. Both Sandhurst and Waletich say some of their favorite memories were storming the court following the state-earning victory over MVL.

Reeve was another multi-sport athlete for Fairmont during his time, playing football, basketball and track and field for the Cardinals. Reeve’s says that while he loved all three sports, his main passion was on the hardwood.

He finished his basketball career scoring 676 points, 462 rebounds and 67 blocks in 74 games with the Cardinals.

Reeve attended St. John’s University (MN), studying Communications. He dipped his toe into the cycling industry, first in bike shops, then in a more corporate/supplier role. Reeve now works at Quality Bicycle Products in Bloomington as the Director of Customer Service.

The Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on Sept 26 in the Fairmont High School Performing Arts Center beginning at 5 p.m.