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By Miriam RafteryMay 4, 2024 (Santee) – Thanks to community support, Santana High School water polo coach Rod Bowen and his wife, Barb, will be flying to Paris to watch their son, Alex Bowen, compete in the Paris summer Olympics in water polo for Team U.S.A.
As ECM reported on March 31, a GoFundMe site was launched to raised funds for the Bowens’ travel expenses to the summer Olympics. Andrew Harmon, whose three sons have all been mentored by Coach Bowen, set up the GoFundMe page, which has raised over $7,500.
Andrew Harmon posted an update on April 25, to share the good news. “I spoke with Rod this morning and wanted to let everybody know he was able to purchase his airline tickets for Paris!! Thank you all SO much!! Rod and Barb have been blown away from all the love and support and are extremely thankful. This is so great to see.”
In addition to coaching at Santana, Rod Bowen also coaches the boys 16U team for the San Diego Shores Water Polo Club where he has won numerous medals and trophies, as well as the USA water polo Olympic Development Program.
Alex Bowen (photo, right) is considered one of the best shooters on Team USA, according to the USA water polo team’s website. He scored over 200 goals while at Stanford and was named a 1st Team All-American all four years. Currently, he plays professionally in France. He captained Santana’s water polo team as a junior and senior, helping to lead Santana to Grossmont North League titles in 2007 and 2008, and to Grossmont Valley League titles in 2009 and 2010. He holds CIF San Diego Section career goals scored record with 547. He was named to All-American and All-California teams.
Later he played club water polo for the San Diego Shores, and after participating in the Junior Olympics, he was named Junior Olympics All-American from 2008 through 2011. At Stanford University, he scored over 200 goals and was named to the NCAA 1st Team and multiple All-American teams. He has competed in numerous international competitions and currently plays for Noisy-le-Sec in France.
“I’ve always wanted to get the most out of the sport I love,” he says, according to the Team USA site. “I would like to thank my mom for being there and supporting me through the stressful times. I would like to thank my dad for getting me started in the sport and helping me become who I am today,” he says, also thanking his brother, Eric, as well as sports colleagues along the way who helped push him to be a success. “I’m also thankful for all the friendships I’ve made along the way through the sport,” he adds.
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