Martial Artist Kila Owens signs with Bryan College
Kila Owens is a senior at Straughn High School in Andalusia, Ala.. She is also a world-class martial artist: a 1st degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate (Okinawan style brought back by the Marines in the 1950s) who competes nationally in point fighting, kata, and weapons kata.
David Holcomb, the director of the Bryan College Martial Arts Academy, said “Kila brings instant credibility to our program starting in Fall 2018. It will be a great opportunity for high school students who want to attend college and train alongside her at the academy. I have been watching her since she won the women’s division at such a young age at the Isshinryu Hall of Fame tournament, the largest national tournament for Isshinryu in the country. Kila has the focus and determination to be a great instructor and trainer throughout her life. We are excited to have her at Bryan College!”
Since July Kila has won additional tournaments throughout the South in point fighting, kata, and weapons kata. “She is the type of person we want at Bryan, she wants to grow as a person physically, mentally and spiritually,” continued Mr. Holcomb. “We want Kila to be successful. Being able to give her a scholarship to continue to build on her incredible foundation in martial arts is a blessing that we are honored to provide.”
The Bryan College Martial Arts Academy is one of the new programs that Bryan College has starting in the Fall 2018 semester. The academy is for any student – with or without prior martial arts training. Members of the team will compete through the year, ending with a national tournament. In addition, students will work semester by semester to attain a black belt by the end of their senior year. If they already have a black belt, they will work towards their degree ranks in a partnership with their local martial arts school and Bryan College.
Mr. Holcomb said, “We already have recruits joining us from Texas, North Carolina, and all over Tennessee. We want this academy to become the standard in martial arts training at the collegiate level while simultaneously helping these students grow in their faith. We believe in the holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit.”
Kila is looking to major in education while attending Bryan College and helping to be a leader in the academy.
For more information contact David Holcomb at 605-1534. For students interested in attending Bryan College and being in the Martial Arts Academy, click here.