Payson Dirk is entering his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Dickinson State University wrestling program. A proud Blue Hawk alumnus, Dirk brings a deep understanding of the program and a strong background in both collegiate competition and youth development.
A native of Sturgis, South Dakota, Dirk was a standout prep wrestler at Sturgis Brown High School. He was a five-time state qualifier and two-time state placer, finishing third and second in the South Dakota state tournament. He competed on five top-five state tournament teams during his high school career.
Dirk wrestled for Dickinson State from 2016 to 2021, earning regional team honors in four of those seasons. As a freshman, he placed fifth at the regional tournament. In 2020, he placed third at the Heart of America Conference Tournament and qualified for his first NAIA National Tournament. He returned to nationals in 2021 after finishing as a Heart of America Conference finalist.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a minor in coaching in 2021 and completed his Master of Arts in Teaching in 2023 while serving as a graduate assistant with the wrestling program.
Dirk remains active in the wrestling community during the offseason, working with high school teams across the region. He has coached with South Dakota’s USA Fargo National Team and the 605 Grappler club, in addition to assisting with wrestling camps throughout the Midwest.
In addition to his coaching duties, Dirk serves as the Housing Operations Coordinator at Dickinson State University.
