Bio

Payson Dirk grew up in Sturgis, South Dakota and graduated from Sturgis Brown High School. In his time in Sturgis he was a 5 time state qualifier and a 2 time state placer (3^rd and 2^nd). He was also a member of 5 top 5 team finishes. He graduated from Sturgis in 2016 and began his career at Dickinson State University in the fall of 2016.

In His time as a Blue Hawk he was a regional team member 4 times. As a true freshman he placed 5^th at the regional tournament. In his junior year, (2020) he placed third at the Heart Of America Conference Tournament earning him a spot at the National Tournament. In his senior year, (2021), Payson was a HOA conference tournament finalist and earned his second berth at the NAIA National Tournament.

He graduated DSU in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and a minor in coaching. In 2023 he graduated from DSU with a Master of Arts in Teaching while being a graduate assistant for the Men’s Wrestling Team. He currently is in his 3^rd year of being an assistant coach for the wrestling team.

Payson is now acting as the Housing Operations Coordinator for DSU as well as being an assistant for the wrestling team.