Merced High senior continues family legacy by signing to play water polo at Cal
One peek into the closet of Merced High senior Easton Hamm would have given away his college choice.
Hamm has a variety of Cal shirts and jackets hung up after years of attending Cal football and water polo games.
So it was no surprise when Hamm made Cal his official college choice during a recent ceremony in the Merced High School gym. Hamm signed his national letter of intent to accept a water polo scholarship to Cal in front of family, friends and coaches.
“It was awesome to have all my closest friends, family and coaches there to share the moment,” Hamm said. “To be able to do that in front of everyone was a special moment in my life.”
Hamm will join his older sister Ellie, who plays volleyball at Cal.
To say Cal has been a family legacy for the Hamm family is an understatement.
Easton’s father Eric played water polo at Cal. His uncle Jeff Tyrell played water polo at Cal and is now coaching there. He’s had three aunts play water polo at Cal.
“I’m super excited,” Easton said. “I think I’m the seventh person in my family to play a sport at Cal and the ninth or 10th person to go to there. I grew up going to football and water polo games. My closet is full of Cal gear.”
Hamm isn’t sure what he’ll major in. He’s says something probably in the business field. He compiled a 4.3 GPA during his time at Merced High.
Hamm has been one of the top water polo players in Merced County during his high school career, earning all-Central California Conference honors multiple times.
“Easton has exceptional physical skills and puts in many hours outside of practice improving his strength,” said Merced water polo coach Kit Grattan. “He is quite a polite young man and will continue to mature and develop as an athlete. I think Cal is a great place for him to be challenged both academically and in the pool.”
Hamm couldn’t wait to start playing water polo as a kid. He started with splash ball out at Merced College when he was 8 years old. By the time he was 10, he was too good for splash ball and moved up to the older levels.
Hamm has loved playing water polo as long as he can remember.
“I think it’s just the fast pace, high intensity of the sport,” Hamm said. “I love it so much.”
Hamm joins a Cal water polo team ranked No. 1 in the nation. The opportunity to join a top-notch program and one of the top public universities in the country was too much to pass up.
“I love the Bay Area,” Hamm said. “I love the location of Cal. It’s a super good school. It’s ranked the No. 1 public school in the nation. The water polo team is ranked No. 1 in the nation. I’m really, really excited to go there. I can’t wait.”
