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. Early life and education Otto grew up in Pocatello and Victor, Idaho. She is the granddaughter of Jim Otto. At age 8 she had her first experience with mushing at the American Dog Derby. She participated in dog agility competitions. Her family moved to Idaho's Teton Valley where she graduated from Teton High School in 2012. She attended Biola University on a soccer scholarship, captaining the team her senior year and graduating in 2016 with a degree in journalism, and planned to play professionally until an injury ended her soccer career. 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. Under his mentorship she raced in the Copper Basin 300, the Willow 300, and the Alpine 200 in 2021