Kara Owens has served as a full-time assistant with The College of Wooster's cross country and track and field program since Jan. 5, 2026. Owens works closely with the jumps, sprints, hurdles, and recruiting.

Owens came to Wooster from Wittenberg University where she was a graduate assistant for athletic operations and a volunteer assistant track and field coach. Owens gained key experience in the areas of meet management, student-athlete development, academic monitoring, and recruiting.

Owens' coaching career started at Chatham University, where she worked closely with the program's long and triple jumpers. She guided Aurielle Brunner to All-America honors in the outdoor heptathlon, long jump, and triple jump, plus the indoor long jump. Brunner placed as high as fourth nationally. Owens engaged in recruiting efforts for the program and monitored student-athlete academic progress. She developed tailored lifting programs for various event groups.

As a student-athlete, Owens competed in the triple jump and long jump at Wittenberg. She logged collegiate-bests of 31 feet, 7.5 inches in the triple jump and 15 feet, 2.25 inches in the long jump.

Owens graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management and is working towards a master's in sport administration at Wittenberg.