Chris Owens, a 1988 graduate of Idaho Falls High School, is among the top prep wrestlers to have ever set foot on the mat in the Gem State.

Finishing his prep career with an undefeated 123-0 record, Owens became the first wrestler to win four state championships in Idaho’s largest division.

Additionally, Owens earned First-Team High School All-American honors with ASICS Tiger and Amateur Wrestling News while also being selected for Wrestling USA Magazine’s Dream Team.

Moreover, he represented Team USA at the prestigious Dapper Dan Classic versus the Pennsylvania All-Stars, winning his match by decision, 7-5.

At the collegiate level, Owens competed for national power Oklahoma State University, where he was a Big Eight champion and a two-time All-American. He finished third in the nation and helped the Cowboys win the NCAA team title in 1990 and was an NCAA finalist in 1992.

After college Owens returned to Idaho and coached for over 20 years at Boise State University (1995 to 2017).

As the head assistant coach, he was instrumental to leading the Bronchos to several Pac-10 and Pac-12 team championships while producing multiple individual conference champions as well as NCAA All-Americans, including national champions Kirk White and Ben Cherrington.

Additionally, in 1995, Owens joined the Idaho National Team staff for freestyle and Greco-Roman, preparing high school wrestlers for the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals.

In 2017, Owens became the development coach and director of operations for Idaho USA Wrestling. During his tenure, Team Idaho has produced 286 Fargo freestyle and Greco-Roman All-Americans, 41 national champions, multiple folkstyle All-Americans and Champions, Folkstyle National team titles in 2021 and 2022, and in 2022 had top four team finishes in the Fargo Junior Freestyle (4th) and Greco-Roman (3rd) divisions, the highest finishes in state history.

Owens is a USA Wrestling Silver Certified coach and in 2021 at the Fargo Nationals, he was presented the National Youth Development Coach of the Year Award for Greco-Roman wrestling by USA Wrestling .