SAN CLEMENTE – If one wants to experience an entertaining side of the Hamming’s sibling rivalry, ask the San Clemente water polo triplets how they share a car when it comes to their conflicting work schedules.
Good-natured banter follows and their different personalities quickly surface.
In a high-pitched voice, Michael mimics a typical conversation:
“Well, you have to drop me off.”
“No, I want the car.”
Colton counters by revealing Michael’s dislike for driving their mother’s Volkswagon Beetle. After loud laughter, the boys talk over each other.
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Chase tries to calm the emotions, but the brothers have demonstrated that things aren’t always smooth between them.
“Every aspect of our entire lives has been kind of competitive,” Colton said. “Water polo, school, stupid things at home. … like a pick-up basketball game.”
The triplets have learned to play together better in water polo, and it’s one of the reasons the Tritons could contend for the South Coast League title and emerge as contenders in CIF-SS Division 2.
The triplets said they have verbally clashed in the pool but have mostly outgrown those days.
“It’s maturity,” Chase said. “We all like each other (on the team). We have good chemistry and we’re going to look to make a run in league and CIF.”
Said Colton of the brothers’ chemistry: “It’s 100 percent improved.”
San Clemente is aiming to claim its first league title since 2009. If the Tritons grab the crown, the brothers will play key roles.
Chase, a 6-foot-2 center who leads more by example than words, racked up 142 goals last season to emerge as one of the county’s top scorers.
“He’s one of the best scorers I’ve ever seen,” San Clemente coach Marc Parker said of Chase.
During the summer, Chase continued to progress by helping power Orange County Water Polo Club to a bronze medal in the 18-and-under division at the Junior Olympics.
The Junior Olympic squad, led by Coach Petar Asic, also featured Colton as one of the first players off the bench.
“It was big for us because we had never done that well at JOs,” Colton said.
Colton, who is 5-10 with an outgoing personality, focuses mostly on defense. He amassed 60 steals last season. The 5-5 Michael plays attacker and is often a neutral figure in the brothers’ conflicts.
The boys also do plenty to raise the Tritons’ team grade-point average. Michael carries a 4.3 GPA and takes international baccalaureate courses. Colton holds a 4.2 GPA average and Chase comes in at 3.65.
Michael attributes some of his stature to being born with scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. But he is feisty enough to play center if the Tritons are looking for a matchup.
But like their stories about sharing a car, the boys have fun with Michael’s stature. As they spin the tale, Michael was born second and squashed by his brothers.
And so began the Hamming’s sibling rivalry. But this water polo season, they’re putting it on hold.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
