kaiowen1200
Photo: Columbia Athletics

Two-time NCAA qualifier Owen signs with Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana Wrestling head coach Angel Escobedo has announced the signing of transfer Kai Owen to the program on Thursday (April 9).

Owen, a transfer from Columbia, comes to Indiana after spending four years with the Lions.

With the Lions, Owen wrestled at 141, 149, and 157 pounds throughout the course of his career and owns a 67-40 record.

Owen is a two-time NCAA qualifier, qualifying as the No. 30 seed at 141 pounds in 2024 and was the No. 19 Seed at 157 pounds in 2026.


He had a very successful 2026 tournament, reaching the blood round by winning three consecutive matches on the backside after losing his opening bout. In 2024, he went 1-2 in the tournament.

Owen helped the Lions win the 2026 regular season Ivy League championship. Owen finished third in the Ivy League tournament.

In 2025, he took fourth place at the conference tournament at 149 pounds While Columbia was in the EIWA, Owen finished in seventh place at the league championships at 141 pounds.

Owen is a Tampa, Florida native, but went to Wyoming Seminary Prep in Kingston, Pennsylvania, for his high school career. He was a four-time letterwinner at Wyoming Seminary and a two-time placer at Prep Nationals. Prior to his time in Pennsylvania, he was a two-time Florida High School Athletic Association state champion.

The Tampa native was also a four-time Fargo All-American, Grappler Fall Classic champion and Journeymen champion.