Kai Owen Named Ivy League Wrestler of the Week
1/13/2026 2:05:00โฏPM | Men's Wrestling
Senior captured the 157 championship at the David H. Lehman Open
NEW YORK โ Columbia wrestling senior Kai Owen has been named the Ivy League Wrestler of the Week. Owen is coming off a stellar week in which he went 5-0 and captured the 157-pound championship at the David H. Lehman Open hosted by Franklin & Marshall.
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Owen was one of three Lions who captured individual titles and one of seven Lions to finish on the podium last weekend. Owen went 5-0 with two wins via major decision and two by fall.
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The native of Tampa, Fla., opened the tournament with a 16-4 major decision over LIU's Luke Nieto in the Round of 64. Owen followed that up with a 6-0 win over Lock Haven's Chasa Burke. He recorded his first win by fall in the third round, pinning Army Prep's Connor Doherty early in the second period.
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In the final two rounds, Owen defeated Lehigh's Jadon Skeellenger via a 7-0 decision before taking on 13th-ranked DJ McGee of George Mason in the championship bout. The two wrestlers remained scoreless through the first two periods when Owen secured the win with a fall at 4:17.
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Owen jumped up to No. 21 in the FloWrestling 157-pound weight class rankings. He was previously unranked entering this week. For the year, Owen is 11-2 overall and has won nine bouts in a row after going 4-0 at the Bobby Kauffman Open last week.
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The Lions will return to action on January 16 at 7 p.m. when they host Morgan State at Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium. Friday's dual against the Bears will be the final match before Ivy League action begins on January 23.
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FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on X (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
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Owen was one of three Lions who captured individual titles and one of seven Lions to finish on the podium last weekend. Owen went 5-0 with two wins via major decision and two by fall.
โ
The native of Tampa, Fla., opened the tournament with a 16-4 major decision over LIU's Luke Nieto in the Round of 64. Owen followed that up with a 6-0 win over Lock Haven's Chasa Burke. He recorded his first win by fall in the third round, pinning Army Prep's Connor Doherty early in the second period.
โ
In the final two rounds, Owen defeated Lehigh's Jadon Skeellenger via a 7-0 decision before taking on 13th-ranked DJ McGee of George Mason in the championship bout. The two wrestlers remained scoreless through the first two periods when Owen secured the win with a fall at 4:17.
โ
Owen jumped up to No. 21 in the FloWrestling 157-pound weight class rankings. He was previously unranked entering this week. For the year, Owen is 11-2 overall and has won nine bouts in a row after going 4-0 at the Bobby Kauffman Open last week.
โ
The Lions will return to action on January 16 at 7 p.m. when they host Morgan State at Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium. Friday's dual against the Bears will be the final match before Ivy League action begins on January 23.
โ
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on X (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
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Players Mentioned
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