When Pahrump Valley High School alumnus Brandon Dirrigl reflects on his years in the Trojans’ halls, it’s the echo of whistles in the wrestling room and the long rides to faraway competitions that come back first. A member of the Class of 2015, Brandon says those experiences helped shape both his discipline and character in ways that continue to influence his life today.
“Some of my fondest memories are really just everything around sports,” he said. “The wrestling practices, especially those early Saturday mornings, really instilled discipline. And of course the bus rides—joking with teammates in the back, traveling up to Winnemucca, Las Vegas, or Moapa—those are the things I look back on most fondly.”
Brandon was a proud member of the 2015 state wrestling team, though he modestly describes himself as “not the best wrestler ever.” His commitment to the sport was unwavering, having trained with Powerhouse Wrestling in middle school and competing all through high school. He recalls the fierce competition with teammates like Jeremy Coates and Jace Clayton, the intensity of practices, and the camaraderie of being part of one of the largest, most competitive wrestling classes the school had seen. He wrestled in the 220-pound weight class and qualified for state his senior year, placing third in the region. Though he didn’t place individually, the team itself won its first State Championship in six years.
Wrestling wasn’t his only sport. He played football during his first two years of high school and threw shot put and discus from eighth grade through his junior year. But by senior year, his focus was entirely on wrestling. “It was one of the hardest things physically I’ve ever done,” he said. “Cutting weight, sometimes not eating for two and a half days—it was brutal. Now, after studying nutrition, I really understand how bad that was for the body.” Still, he looks back on the sport as the cornerstone of his development.
Brandon also excelled academically. Graduating in the top 25 of his class, he maintained a GPA above 4.0, even while managing undiagnosed ADHD. He earned honors and pushed himself in challenging courses. Teachers like Mr. Nygaard, who taught anatomy and physiology, inspired him to initially pursue medicine. But above all, wrestling coach and mentor Coach Rieger stands out as the figure who had the most impact. “Rieger was like a sports dad for me,” Brandon said. “He was always there, pushing us, supporting us, checking in on how we were doing in school. For a lot of us who didn’t have parents very involved in sports, he filled that role.”
After graduation, Brandon attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics. His studies gave him deeper insight into the toll of wrestling’s weight-cutting practices, but they also gave him the knowledge base that continues to guide his approach to health and fitness today. While at UNR, he worked his first long-term job at the popular restaurant Squeeze-In, where he developed interpersonal skills and learned how naturally he connected with people. “I realized I had a knack for building relationships and upselling, without even realizing I was shaping myself for a sales career,” he explained.
Though originally set on becoming a sports dietitian, the realities of unpaid internships and the high demands of the medical field made him pivot. After graduation, he started in beverage sales before moving into tech sales. A connection through a Pahrump alumnus led him to ZipRecruiter, where he has now spent four years working his way up to National Account Manager in the enterprise department.
He credits his small-town upbringing for giving him an advantage. “Coming from a community like Pahrump, you just know how to talk to people. In bigger cities, people can be standoffish, but we grew up in a place where you could sit next to anyone and start a conversation. That’s really helped me build partnerships in sales and in life.”
His achievements at ZipRecruiter include multiple promotions and financial stability—purchasing his own home, building savings, and planning for future investments. Brandon also won Presidents Club 2 years in a row for 2023 and 2024 for being the #1 Account Manager at ZipRecruiter. But he also recognizes the lessons of the corporate world. “I’ve learned that the corporate environment can be very black and white, and true freedom comes from building something of your own. That’s why I’m working toward eventually owning a small business—maybe plumbing or HVAC—something in the trades that will always be valuable or maybe something in nutrition, but that’s the benefit of growth, there is no limit.”
Outside of work, Brandon lives in Centennial Hills with his two-year-old dog, Dennis and 17 year old cat Juicy. He’s celebrating one year with his girlfriend, Marlene, whom he describes as his first true love. Staying active is a priority—he trains at Elevate Sports Performance in Las Vegas, where the workouts bring him back to the structured athletic routines of high school. “I’ve always chased that same structure we had in athletics,” he said. “Now I focus on balancing work with life, prioritizing health, family, and friends.”
He still keeps ties with Pahrump classmates. Though he drifted after high school, he reconnected with many when he returned to Las Vegas after college. Today, he enjoys golfing with friends like Sam Tucsnak, Abraham and Hiram Castro, and staying in touch through social gatherings and social media with others from the PVHS community.
When asked what advice he would give to students looking to follow his path, Brandon was clear: “Always follow your word. Take pride in your work. Work hard, grind it out, and focus on interpersonal skills. And don’t let work consume your life—make sure you’re living outside of it too.”
For Brandon Dirrigl, the lessons learned in the wrestling room and in the small-town classrooms of Pahrump Valley High School still serve as the foundation for his success today. His story is a reminder that discipline, connection, and community can carry someone far beyond the mat and into a life built on both achievement and balance.
