When creating a new record, reference field defaults to specific object

I have a table that is based on a custom object that serves as a task management tool. There is an owner field on the record that is required in order to save. It is a look-up field that looks up to the User object, however when reps try to in-line create a new record, it defaults to the Group object. Is there a way to have it default to the User object instead?

What it currently defaults to:

What we would like it to default to:

Thank you!