Local water polo league helps Albuquerque teen land spot at Penn State

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It all started at Sierra Vista Pool. That’s where then nine-year-old Atticus Bowman took the plunge and started playing water polo in the city of Albuquerque’s Metro Aquatic League. “They really taught me how to swim, they taught me how to play water polo and really get the basics down,” said Bowman.

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The league teaches kids from ages five to 14 to swim, dive, or play water polo competitively.

Bowman showing great promise early on, “He’s always been a pretty talented player. Very, very smart student of the game, and he knows where to be, when to be, and how to support the team,” recalled former coach and Aquatics Division Manager for the city Kent Vigil, former coach and Aquatics Division Manager for the City of Albuquerque.

At age 11, Bowman was recruited to play water polo at the more advanced club level.

Vigil told KRQE News 13 that the league is not just about swimming, but also learning valuable life skills, “These programs are also a great opportunity for the kids to get out of the house, meet some friends, get some really good exercise, and learn maybe something that will become a new passion for them.”

For Bowman, water polo became a way of life. His athletic abilities helped him further his education. “I got recruited to go play water polo at Penn State, and I couldn’t have been there without the Metro League. I wouldn’t have had a good starting point. I wouldn’t have had as much fun going into the sport.”

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A year into playing water polo at the collegiate level, Bowman is back at the pool he started at encouraging other local kids to dive in, “I think it’s a great way to really build skills, build character, make great friends. Overall, it gives you work ethic, drive, discipline to be better and better every day,” emphasized Bowman.

In the future, Bowman hopes to compete at the national level, “But first, I’m going to start by finishing out college.”

The program starts on Monday, June 9. Click here to learn more.

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