Trever Olson signed a letter of intent on Tuesday, May 21, to wrestle for Southwestern Oregon Community College.
With his parents Leon and Shana Olson by his side in a ceremony held in the Sweet Home High School Library, Olson became the fourth Husky wrestler this year to commit to competing at the next level, either in wrestling or, in the case of Zach Gill, who signed earlier this month, football.
Coach Steve Thorpe said Olson would be “a perfect fit” at Southwestern.
“It’s a program that expects dedication and where the coaches care about the kids beyond just wrestling,” he said.
Olson said he liked what he saw on a visit to the campus in Coos Bay.
“I like the facilities – the weight room, the wrestling room, the dorms,” he said. “I like Coach (Adam) Whitlach.”
He said he plans to major in criminology or fire science.
Thorpe said the Lakers coaches expect Olson to wrestle at 149 pounds in college, though he said he expects that Olson might move up one weight class as he continues to grow.
Olson said his goal has “always” been to wrestle at the college level.
Thorpe said Olson is the fifth Sweet Home wrestler to go to Southwestern, following Rob Martin, James Gourley, John Sitton and Kris Newport.
Olson has been a four-year letterman in football and wrestling, in which he won the regional championship at 142 pounds this year and finished sixth at state after having his nose broken by an opponent in an earlier match and battling through other injuries.
He credited Olson’s offer from Southwestern, which includes some scholarship money, to Olson’s commitment to the sport.
“It all comes back to work ethic,” he said. “When you think about what Trever’s accomplished, it goes beyond wins and losses. What he contributes to a program is immeasurable.
“His toughness, his desire to be successful – a lot of athletes have better natural ability, but he’s definitely upper echelon when it comes to work ethic.”