Athlete Profile: Dakotah Olson

Witt-Birn senior wrestler hoping to turn strong season into state berth

With the current state of the pandemic, high school wrestling teams haven’t had many opportunities to take the mat this winter. When Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Dakotah Olson has wrestled, he’s taken advantage.

Through Jan. 17, Olson owned a 5-1 record on the season, doing most of his wrestling at the 138-pound weight class.

Of those wins, one was by pin and two were in tight decisions. Olson also has two forfeit wins.

Q: When did your interest in wrestling begin?

A: My interest in wrestling began in kindergarten. I was first introduced to it by my dad (Robert) and loved it ever since.

Q: What is your favorite part about the wrestling season?

A: My favorite part about the season is coming to the wrestling practices every day and improving. I also love being a part of a great team.

Q: How did you get ready for the season and then how do you maintain a certain weight during the season?

A: I got ready by lifting a lot of weights in the summer and making sure my endurance was on point. I maintain a certain weight by making sure I’m eating close to the same amount of calories each day and by cutting a lot of water weight.

Q: What has wrestling taught you over the years?

A: Wrestling has taught me to be extremely disciplined and to work hard if you ever want to achieve something in life. Wrestling’s showed me how to accept failure and how to work toward success.

Q: What’s the biggest key to success for you and your team the rest of the season?

A: To get 1 percent better every time I’m in the wrestling room. As a team we have to stay completely motivated and in the game at all times.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you hope to achieve or team goals you want to help obtain by the end of this season?

A: To be able to make it to state and hopefully on the podium. I want to make my team continues to work hard for the years ahead of them.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a match?

A: I make sure I’m extremely focused. I don’t worry about my opponent, rather I just go out and wrestle how I do at practice.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Wittenberg-Birnamwood wrestling team?

A: Going to state with the team and having a fun time there.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “All American.” Movie — “Pee-wees Big Adventure.” Musical artist — J. Cole.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I’m in the sport jiu-jitsu.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: That discipline equals freedom.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: Get my bachelor’s in finance. Eventually become a financial manager.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Dakotah Olson

Sport: Wrestling

Weight class: 138

School: Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

Year: Senior