Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Hansen ‘13

For many student-athletes, life after college can feel daunting. When there’s no practice to wake up for and no crowds cheering you on, what comes next? For Kevin Hansen, a Dickinson State wrestling alumnus, the answer came from his roots: dog mushing.

Hansen, an Inupiaq Alaskan Native, was born and raised in Kotzebue, a remote town 33 miles above the Arctic Circle. With no roads in or out, Kotzebue is accessible only by plane, snowmobile, boat, or dog team. His parents have run a small kennel since the early 1980s, and Hansen began racing sled dogs as a child. In elementary school, he started out in three-dog, three-mile sprint races. As he grew older, he moved into junior races up to 12 miles long, running teams of eight dogs at speeds of 16 to 20 miles per hour.

At Kotzebue High School, Hansen discovered a passion for wrestling. He eventually won three 3A state championships. That success earned him a scholarship to Dickinson State University, where he wrestled while earning a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology. He later earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Dakota in 2020.

Though dog mushing and wrestling may seem worlds apart, both demand intense mental and physical toughness. “The sport of wrestling has made a huge impact on all aspects of my life,” Hansen says. “I believe there is no other sport that can prepare you better for overcoming challenges in life.”

Long-distance sled dog racing presents no shortage of those challenges. These races span hundreds of miles over vast and unpredictable regions. Hansen explains, “there’s a good chance that during a race we will get hit by a snowstorm with winds gusting up to 50 or 60 miles per hour.” To add to the windy conditions, the temperatures often dip to 20 below zero with windchills down to minus 40. But the hardest part, he says, is sleep deprivation. In one recent 400-mile race, Hansen started on a Thursday at noon and crossed the finish line on Sunday at 8 p.m., on just five and a half hours of sleep. Meanwhile, his dogs rested nearly 20 hours more than he did, as the musher is responsible for everything during rest stops. That means feeding the dogs, laying down straw for bedding, treating sore muscles and feet, and prepping gear for the next run.

Wrestling, he says, gave him the tools to endure it all. “Wrestling taught me to be self-reliant, confident, and to trust my instincts. I believe that because of wrestling, I am more comfortable than most in uncomfortable situations. It is very rewarding to be able to go beyond your mind’s limitations to be successful and accomplish your goals.”

Most recently, Hansen placed second in the 2025 Kobuk 440, a grueling 400-to-440-mile race through the Alaskan wilderness. It was his fifth time completing the event and one of his strongest performances yet. Over the years, he has also earned two first place finishes in the Taaqpak 120, a 120-mile race closer to home. Now, Hansen is preparing for his biggest challenge yet: competing in the iconic 1,000-mile Iditarod race across Alaska in March 2026. His father completed the same race in 2017.

Justin Schlecht, current DSU Wrestling Head Coach, remembers Hansen’s determination clearly. “I had the pleasure of coaching Kevin Hansen for one year as an assistant coach. O’Donell recruited him. He fit the Blue Hawk mold, worked hard, and stayed dedicated,” Schlecht says. “What Kevin has done after his time at DSU is quite an accomplishment, and he has a lot to be proud of. Not only in his adventurous life but in his professional life as well. Providing for his family and the way he is still pushing himself mentally and physically. Preparing to race in the Iditarod after placing second in the Kobuk 440 is truly amazing.”

Today, Hansen is a proud father to his five-year-old son, Kade, and works as a physical therapist at the Maniilaq Health Center. He continues to balance his professional career with his deep-rooted connection to the land, the culture, and t

he sled dogs that have shaped his identity and continue to lead him forward. And for student-athletes feeling the pressure of life after they graduate Hansen’s advice is this: Continue to stay physically active, set well rounded goals, and find ways to stay motivated. And while exercise is the best medicine for life, our families, occupation, spirituality, and personal relationships are what complete us.

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Written by Alician Parks, DSU HF Student Writer