Otto Olson is recognized as one of the finest wrestlers in Washington State history. A standout at Lake Stevens High School, Olson was a four-time district and regional champion and captured three state titles in 1994, 1995, and 1996, often defeating opponents above and below his weight class. In 1995, he was named Everett Herald’s Man of the Year and received widespread recognition for his outstanding citizenship. During his senior year, he appeared on the cover of Wrestling USA, a national publication. Lake Stevens Athletic Director Ed Bailey recalled, “I remember him as a senior not wanting a car like his classmates because he felt it would make him soft if he was not running or biking all over town to keep in shape.”

Olson earned a place on the Washington Wrestling Report All-Century Team in 1999 and the Washington High School State Half Century Team in 2003. He continued his wrestling career at the University of Michigan, where he earned a scholarship and achieved numerous accolades, including two-time First Team Academic All-American, three-time NCAA Division I All-American, and two-time Big Ten Conference Champion (2001, 2002). Olson set school records for the longest consecutive win streak (41) and the second-most career wins (174).

On the national stage, Olson also excelled. He placed second at the Espoir Nationals in Freestyle and Greco (1997) and second at the University Nationals in Freestyle (1999). In 2003, he earned a silver medal at the World Submission Wrestling Championships in São Paulo, Brazil.

After college, Olson returned to Washington, accepting a teaching position at Explorer Middle School and serving as head wrestling coach at Explorer and Mariner High Schools from 2003 to 2008, where he revitalized the wrestling programs. In addition to coaching, he operates Otto-Matic Mobile Music, a DJ business he has run for over fifteen years, demonstrating the same dedication and discipline he brought to wrestling.