Kai Owen Named Ivy League Wrestler of the Week
1/13/2026 2:05:00 PM | Wrestling
Senior captured the 157 championship at the David H. Lehman Open
NEW YORK – 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Players Mentioned
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