Irvine, CA - May 26 - Olympic bronze medalists and longtime USA Water Polo National Team members Alex Bowen and Drew Holland have announced their retirement from international water polo. The Stanford graduates have been mainstays for Team USA for more than a decade and helped rebuild the program into a podium contender. Their careers culminated with a bronze medal finish at the Paris Olympic Games, helping Team USA return to the podium for the first time since 2008. Bowen, a lethal attacker and a staple of Team USA since 2013, won three Pan-American Games gold medals in addition to Olympic bronze while capping up for top flight clubs across Europe. Holland, an elite goalkeeper for Team USA for over a decade and a Pan American Games gold medalist, made his Olympic debut in Tokyo before reaching the podium in Paris. The two will be honored at exhibition matches later this summer with more information coming soon.

"After more than a decade with Team USA, I'm stepping away from the game that has given me so much. Representing this country has been the greatest honor of my life. From competing on the Olympic stage and bringing home a bronze medal, to seasons spent playing abroad that challenged and shaped me, every step of this journey led me back to the pride of wearing the USA cap," Bowen said. "Water polo shaped who I am, discipline, resilience, and a deep love for team and country. But my greatest role is one I have just begun, being a father. And the same heart, commitment, and passion I gave to this sport, I now give to my family. To my teammates, coaches, and everyone who stood by me, thank you for being part of this journey. I carry you with me into this next chapter. The pool will always be home, but now, so is something even greater."

Bowen attended Santana High School where he broke the CIF San Diego Section career goals scored record with 547 and was named Player of the Year as a senior. From there, he went north to Stanford University. On the farm, Bowen was a four-time First Team All-American and a 2015 Cutino Award finalist with 253 career goals, good for third all-time at Stanford.

Bowen became a mainstay as a Team USA attacker and part of a young group of athletes added in 2013. Over the next eleven years, Bowen was considered one of the best shooters on the team. He scored three times in his Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games and at his second Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Games, he delivered 18 goals en route to a sixth-place finish. At the 2024 Paris Games, Bowen scored 13 times and helped the US men's team reach its ultimate goal: a return to the Olympic podium for the first time since 2008. He was also part of three silver medal efforts in World League Super Final play. 

In addition, Bowen has been a longtime competitor for the New York Athletic Club domestically. Internationally, he played professionally for Sabadell in Spain, Noisy-le-Sec in France, Partizan in Serbia, Apollon in Greece, Miskolci VLC in Hungary, and Mladost Zagreb in Croatia.

"Alex Bowen is the ultimate grinder and someone that bought into what we were trying to accomplish from day one. It's hard to think about doing this job without Alex Bowen, he's been with me since my first summer back in 2013 through three Olympic Games," USA Men's National Team Head Coach Dejan Udovicic said. "Bowen worked tirelessly to improve his game and grew into one of the most elite scorers in the world. He committed to living and playing in Europe year after year and got better for it, rising through the ranks of elite European water polo. I'm thankful for his commitment to USA Water Polo and am excited for him and his family in this next chapter of life as a new dad."

Holland, a Super Final silver medalist retires after eleven years representing Team USA.

"It has been the honor of my life representing Team USA as a member of the Senior National Team for the last eleven years. Having the chance to play at the highest level, train with and compete against the best players in the world, and travel around the globe playing the sport that I love has been incredibly special," Holland said. "Thank you to my coaches, teammates, family, fiancée Hannah, friends and fans for offering so much support throughout my career. I'm grateful to close out my career with a bronze medal in the Paris Olympic Games, and am excited to continue to be involved in the great sport of water polo."

Holland attended Miramonte High School where he played two years of water polo and swam. He helped lead Miramonte to CIF North Coast Section titles in 2009, 2011, and 2012 while also capturing DFAL titles from 2011-12 and being named the 2012 DFAL Most Outstanding Goalie. After high school, Holland attended Stanford University where he was a two-time Third Team All-American and still holds the record as Stanford's all-time saves leader with 925.

Holland was named top goalkeeper at the 2021 FINA World League Super Final, recording 41 saves in a silver medal effort. He then tallied 52 saves in his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games and helped the US men's team reach the Olympic podium at the 2024 Paris Games.

In addition, Holland has capped up for the The Olympic Club domestically. Internationally, he played professionally for Peristeri and Chios in Greece and Caballa in Spain. He recently returned to his alma mater, Miramonte High School, to serve as co-head coach of the boy's water polo team.

"We are so fortunate to have had Drew Holland in net for Team USA for two Olympic quads. Making the Olympic Games as a goalie isn't easy, there are only two spots, but Drew did it twice. His preparation, precision, and passion were world class. Whether he was starting or coming in during a shootout to make a critical block, he was always up for the challenge. He was never afraid to share his opinion or offer an idea that would help make our team more successful," Dejan Udovicic said. "Add to that his dedication to playing several seasons abroad, a commitment that helped our program set a standard. It's no surprise he's transitioned now into coaching and I know he'll do a great job leading the next generation."

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 40,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org.