HDN Athlete Profile: Max Payne

Montana State University-Northern redshirt-freshman Max Payne is from the deserts of Prescott, Ariz. But he's certainly getting used to the Montana winters.

That's because Payne is already one of the elite wrestlers in the NAIA, in what is his first full season at MSU-N. Payne, a two-time Arizona high school state champion, redshirted last season, but is having a breakout first varsity campaign for the Lights. He's had to overcome some injury problems this season, but in the most recent NAIA rankings, Payne is ranked seventh at 174 pounds, and is the second-ranked 174-pounder in the West Region.

After missing a good portion of the fall, Payne is coming on strong as the season hits its stride. He recently finished third at the Clackamas Open last weekend, and has been outstanding in recent duals for the Lights.

And in his first year as a varsity wrestler, Payne is already heading to the NAIA national tournament in March, where he hopes to continue to help build the Lights back into a national power.

Here's five questions with one of Northern's brightest young wrestlers.

HDN: What's the biggest difference between high school and college wrestling?

Payne: "I think mainly that wrestling at this level is a job. You have to think about wrestling all the time. Your held more accountable for everything and you really have to be focused all the time. It's just harder than it was in high school, and college wrestling is a big challenge."

HDN: What got you hooked on wrestling, when was the moment that made you know it's what you wanted to do?

Payne: "I grew up in a wrestling family. My dad, my uncle, my brother, they all wrestled and my dad coached at the college level. So I've always been around it. I was born into it. But the moment where I knew I wanted to wrestle in college was when I won state my junior year of high school. That's when I really got motivated to go on and try and do it again my senior year, and wrestle in college."

HDN: How much does the history and tradition of Northern wrestling come into play?

Payne: "It's always in your head. You see all the guys around that have been a part of this, the former national champions and all-americans and you realize, you're a part of that now. It's like a club, and this program means a lot to a lot of people. So being a part of trying to help rebuild that, it's something that drives you every day. The past tradition and success here is definitely extra motivation."

HDN: Coming from Arizona, how hard have the Montana winters been on you?

Payne: "Let's just say I got to be friends with my long johns and warm clothes pretty quick. The first time the temperature was in the negative, I was definitely inside under blankets. But it's fun and I'm used to it now. I like the hot weather, but I don't mind the cold now. In fact, sometimes when I go home, it seems too hot now."

HDN: With so much dieting involved in wrestling, when the season ends, what's the one thing you have to eat right away?

Payne: "A big steak, potatoes and corn. And candy bars, I have to have candy bars. They kill me."