Amanda Otto

Amanda Otto is an American musher and sled dog racer. In 2022 she made her rookie run with a team of Alaskan huskies in the Iditarod and in 2023 placed second in the Yukon Quest, where she was called out by race organizers and race veterinarians, in a rare unanimous decision, for exemplary treatment of her dogs.

Amanda Otto
Otto in 2023
Born1994 or 1995 (age 28–29)[1]

Early life and education

Otto grew up in Pocatello and Victor, Idaho.[2] She is the granddaughter of Jim Otto.[3] At age 8 she had her first experience with mushing at the American Dog Derby.[4] She participated in dog agility competitions.[5]

Her family moved to Idaho's Teton Valley where she graduated from Teton High School in 2012.[3] She attended Biola University on a soccer scholarship, captaining the team her senior year and graduating in 2016 with a degree in journalism,[6][7][8] and planned to play professionally until an injury ended her soccer career.[2][4][5]

Mushing career

After college Otto moved to Alaska in 2016 to become a dog handler, eventually working for Jeff King at his Husky Homestead kennel where as of 2022 she was kennel manager.[2][4][5][9] Under his mentorship she raced in the Copper Basin 300, the Willow 300, and the Alpine 200 in 2021 to qualify for the Iditarod.[2][3][4][5] She raced in the Iditarod for the first time in 2022, finishing 27th of 49 entries.[2]

In 2023 Otto placed second in the Yukon Quest Alaska, finishing in 4 days, 11 hours, and 17 minutes.[1][10] Her team were in such good condition at the end of the race, still yelping and pulling, that she was awarded the Humanitarian Award for exemplary treatment of her dogs by the race organizers and veterinary team in the first unanimous decision in race history.[1][10]

References
  1. Shea, Connor (15 March 2023). "Amanda Otto completes a stunning second in Yukon Quest 550". Teton Valley News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. Boner, Jeannette (30 March 2022). "Rookie musher Amanda Otto finds her footing". Jackson Hole News&Guide. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. Boner, Jeannette (23 June 2021). "Local dog sledder Amanda Otto chases down Iditarod dream". East Idaho News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  4. Williams, Tess (8 March 2022). "From soccer player to musher: Rookie Amanda Otto tackles Iditarod with dogs raised by a champion". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  5. "Amanda Otto". Mushing Alaska. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  6. "Our Staff". Husky Homestead. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  7. Hartmann, Anna (4 December 2019). "From Al Barbour To Alaska". Biola University Athletics. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  8. Gassaway, Samantha (15 March 2017). "Culture mushes in the north". The Chimes. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  9. Shea, Connor (2 March 2022). "Amanda Otto to begin first Iditarod March 5". Teton Valley News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  10. "Sass Wins, Otto Surprise Second". KUAC-TV. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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