5 Super Athletes With Ties To Stafford-Willington

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Stafford-Willington area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Josh Simpson (Baseball)

A Stafford High School graduate, Josh Simpson has made his mark in professional baseball, earning a September call-up to the Miami Marlins in 2023. Simpson has shown resilience after overcoming a challenging recovery from elbow neuritis in 2024. Despite setbacks, he remains a promising left-handed reliever and, as of December 2024, is rumored to be a top non-roster invitee (NRI) pick for the Marlins.

2. Calista Mayer (Cross Country)

Calista Mayer, a Tolland County native, has emerged as a standout athlete for the UConn women's cross country team. Mayer was named BIG EAST Female Athlete of the Week after clinching victory in the 6000m race at the Bruce Kirsh Cross Country Cup, leading the Huskies to a team win.

3. Joel Budd (Football)

Stafford High School freshman Joel Budd has drawn significant attention as a 6-foot-8, 325-pound lineman with immense potential. Despite being new to high school football, Budd has already secured an FBS scholarship offer from Syracuse University. A dominant force on the field, Budd's size and work ethic promise a bright future.

4. Sofia Frassinelli (Field Hockey)

Stafford Springs native Sofia Frassinelli made history at Southern Connecticut State University as the first female athlete to play for her parent, head coach Kelley Frassinelli. A multi-sport star at Stafford High, Frassinelli earned All-State honors in field hockey and softball and excelled academically, earning recognition for leadership and sportsmanship. Beyond her athletic career, she is also pursuing a political science degree.

5. Shirzad Ahmadi (Wrestling)

A Stafford legend, Shirzad Ahmadi has had an extraordinary career as a wrestling coach and competitor. Originally from Iran, Ahmadi coached at Stafford High School for 22 years and became a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee. A 16-time Veterans world champion, Ahmadi has also taught at various educational levels and continues to mentor young athletes.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.