5 Super Athletes With Ties To The Haddams-Killingworth

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Haddams-Killingworth 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. Jeff Bagwell (Baseball)

A Hall of Fame first baseman, Bagwell spent most of his 15-year career with the Houston Astros, becoming one of the all-time greats in MLB. A Killingworth native and Xavier High School graduate, Bagwell’s journey began at the University of Hartford, where he excelled before being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1989 and later traded to the Astros. His remarkable career includes accolades such as the 1994 National League MVP, Rookie of the Year in 1990 and three Silver Slugger awards. He had a .297 batting average, 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs.

2. Leah Pfrommer (Track & Field)

A standout athlete from Killingworth, Pfrommer excelled in track and field at Haddam-Killingworth High School before continuing her career at Quinnipiac University. Pfrommer's accomplishments include multiple MAAC 4x100m relay championships, three MAAC All-Academic Team honors and setting school records in the long jump. She was a consistent performer, winning events like the Yale Springtime Invitational and earning top placements in long jump and sprint events throughout her collegiate career.

3. Sophia Ramino (Lacrosse)

Ramino showcased her athletic versatility on the lacrosse field, appearing in all 17 regular season matches in 2024 and recording 18 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. A Killingworth native, the talented defender and midfielder excelled as a multi-sport athlete at Haddam-Killingworth High School, serving as team captain for both the lacrosse and field hockey programs and earning recognition as Best Offensive Player in field hockey.

4. Josiah J. Hazen (Football)

Hazen was an early pioneer in American college football, serving as both a player and coach at Williams College. As a player-coach in 1899 and 1901, he led the team to a combined record of 15–8, showcasing his leadership and knowledge of the game. Born in Haddam in 1871, Hazen’s contributions to football during its formative years left a lasting impact.

5. Cole Merriam (Soccer)

Merriam has excelled as both an outside back and midfielder, demonstrating leadership and skill throughout his career. A four-year varsity starter, he earned individual accolades such as 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State honors while also serving as team captain at Haddam-Killingworth High School during his junior year. Known for his intensity and work ethic, Merriam consistently led his team in scoring, helping secure achievements like a conference championship and third-place finishes at both the state and conference levels.

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