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Brett Owen, who helped Horseheads boys wrestling become a New York state power, has died at age 47.
Owen died Friday, May 22, at home. Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Tiffany, and their four children: Cael (21), Coleton (19), Chloe (16) and Cruze (14).
Lucas Mosher, who graduated from Horseheads last year and is now a student at Corning Community College, described news of Owen's death as shocking and devastating.
"It's still hard to believe that it happened," Mosher said.
A cause of death was not listed in Owen's obituary from Blauvelt Funeral Home in Waverly.
Owen was boys varsity wrestling coach at Horseheads for seven seasons, capping his tenure by guiding the Blue Raiders to their fifth consecutive Section 4 Division I dual-meet title in the 2024-25 season. During Owen's time as coach, Horseheads qualified for the state duals every year they were held.
Horseheads advanced to the Division I semifinals of the 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Dual Meet Championships, the program's best finish ever.
Along with state success, Horseheads captured four consecutive Southern Tier Athletic Conference tournament titles from 2022 to 2025. The Raiders placed first in the team standings at the Section 4 Division I championships five seasons in a row.
Owen's record at Horseheads was 104-32 based on records kept by cnywrestling.com, not including the 2020-21 season impacted by the COVID pandemic. Owen guided the Raiders to five straight STAC West titles.
More: Longtime Horseheads coach Steve Monks remembered as 'fantastic person'
Owen and assistant coach Troy Monks cultivated a family atmosphere at Horseheads that challenged wrestlers to reach their potential. Monks, who took over as head coach last season, lost his brother Steve to brain cancer May 16.
Mosher was among the numerous Horseheads wrestlers to qualify for the individual New York state tournament with Owen as coach.
"He wanted to know you at a higher level. He didn't want to just be a coach to you, he wanted to be a mentor," Mosher said of Owen.
"He wanted you to be comfortable, you believe, and you know that you have the ability to be out here and it's a blessing that you're actually out here on the mat. You should use that and be grateful with what you've got."
Coleton Owen described Horseheads wrestling "as one big family" in a 2025 interview for a story spotlighting the program's success.
Said wrestler Seamus Carroll at that time of Horseheads' coaches: "I've only been wrestling for three years and they just help me with everything. My success on the mat is all them, I'd say. Well, mostly them."
Brett Owen said in a 2025 interview his original plan was to stay one season at Horseheads, but the connection he quickly built led to six more. He said he wanted to share his passion for the sport with as many people as he could.
"The expectation is to see them become a better person," he said. "That's truly it."
Owen's full-time occupation was president of Owen Insurance in Waverly.
He credited the support from his wife and children for his success. He also praised the Horseheads community for its part.
Owen coached Cael and Coleton at Horseheads. He was highly involved in the wrestling pursuits of all four of his children, whether as a coach or fan.
Owen graduated from Athens High School in 1997 and competed at Shippensburg University, where he advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships and was an Academic All-American.
In addition to Horseheads, he coached at the University of Scranton and Waverly High School.
He also coached at the United Training Facility just over the Pennsylvania border in Athens. Owen helped the facility bring in top college coaches for training sessions while seeking to improve wrestling in Section 4 and Pennsylvania's District 4.
A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at the Waverly High School auditorium, 1 Frederick Street.
A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29 at the Church of Epiphany, 304 S. Elmer Ave., Sayre, Pennsylvania.
Follow Andrew Legare on X: @SGAndrewLegare. You can also reach him at [email protected]. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Former Horseheads boys wrestling coach Brett Owen dies at 47
Continue reading...
Owen died Friday, May 22, at home. Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Tiffany, and their four children: Cael (21), Coleton (19), Chloe (16) and Cruze (14).
Lucas Mosher, who graduated from Horseheads last year and is now a student at Corning Community College, described news of Owen's death as shocking and devastating.
"It's still hard to believe that it happened," Mosher said.
A cause of death was not listed in Owen's obituary from Blauvelt Funeral Home in Waverly.
Owen was boys varsity wrestling coach at Horseheads for seven seasons, capping his tenure by guiding the Blue Raiders to their fifth consecutive Section 4 Division I dual-meet title in the 2024-25 season. During Owen's time as coach, Horseheads qualified for the state duals every year they were held.
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Horseheads advanced to the Division I semifinals of the 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Dual Meet Championships, the program's best finish ever.
Along with state success, Horseheads captured four consecutive Southern Tier Athletic Conference tournament titles from 2022 to 2025. The Raiders placed first in the team standings at the Section 4 Division I championships five seasons in a row.
Owen's record at Horseheads was 104-32 based on records kept by cnywrestling.com, not including the 2020-21 season impacted by the COVID pandemic. Owen guided the Raiders to five straight STAC West titles.
More: Longtime Horseheads coach Steve Monks remembered as 'fantastic person'
Owen and assistant coach Troy Monks cultivated a family atmosphere at Horseheads that challenged wrestlers to reach their potential. Monks, who took over as head coach last season, lost his brother Steve to brain cancer May 16.
Mosher was among the numerous Horseheads wrestlers to qualify for the individual New York state tournament with Owen as coach.
"He wanted to know you at a higher level. He didn't want to just be a coach to you, he wanted to be a mentor," Mosher said of Owen.
"He wanted you to be comfortable, you believe, and you know that you have the ability to be out here and it's a blessing that you're actually out here on the mat. You should use that and be grateful with what you've got."
Coleton Owen described Horseheads wrestling "as one big family" in a 2025 interview for a story spotlighting the program's success.
Said wrestler Seamus Carroll at that time of Horseheads' coaches: "I've only been wrestling for three years and they just help me with everything. My success on the mat is all them, I'd say. Well, mostly them."
You must be registered for see images attach
Brett Owen said in a 2025 interview his original plan was to stay one season at Horseheads, but the connection he quickly built led to six more. He said he wanted to share his passion for the sport with as many people as he could.
"The expectation is to see them become a better person," he said. "That's truly it."
Owen's full-time occupation was president of Owen Insurance in Waverly.
He credited the support from his wife and children for his success. He also praised the Horseheads community for its part.
Owen coached Cael and Coleton at Horseheads. He was highly involved in the wrestling pursuits of all four of his children, whether as a coach or fan.
Owen graduated from Athens High School in 1997 and competed at Shippensburg University, where he advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships and was an Academic All-American.
In addition to Horseheads, he coached at the University of Scranton and Waverly High School.
He also coached at the United Training Facility just over the Pennsylvania border in Athens. Owen helped the facility bring in top college coaches for training sessions while seeking to improve wrestling in Section 4 and Pennsylvania's District 4.
Services for Brett Owen
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A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at the Waverly High School auditorium, 1 Frederick Street.
A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29 at the Church of Epiphany, 304 S. Elmer Ave., Sayre, Pennsylvania.
Follow Andrew Legare on X: @SGAndrewLegare. You can also reach him at [email protected]. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Former Horseheads boys wrestling coach Brett Owen dies at 47
Continue reading...
