5 Super Athletes With Ties To Waterford

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Waterford 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. Billy Gardner (Baseball)

Billy Gardner, a New London native who later resided in Waterford, was a former major league infielder and manager. Known for his roles with teams like the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins, Gardner played 10 seasons in the MLB, amassing 841 hits and a .237 batting average. His managerial career spanned roles with the Twins and Royals, focusing on developing young talent like Kirby Puckett and Frank Viola. Gardner’s connection to Connecticut remained strong throughout his life, as he balanced baseball with local ties, even working as a scout and meat salesman in the region after retiring.

2. Jan Merrill (Cross Country/Track & Field)

Waterford native Jan Merrill is one of the most accomplished middle-distance runners in U.S. history, with highlights including a 1976 Olympic finals appearance in the 1500m and gold medals at the 1975 and 1979 Pan Am Games. A record-setter in the mile and 5000m, Merrill was a national champion 11 times across track and cross country and set multiple U.S. records. After her illustrious competitive career, she turned to coaching at collegiate and high school levels, influencing generations of athletes in Connecticut and beyond.

3. Ella Dyjak (Swimming)

Ella Dyjak, a Waterford High School graduate, began her swimming career with standout performances that earned her All-State honors as a freshman and sophomore. Representing the Connecticut Aquatic Club, she achieved her fastest mile at the 2019 Winter Junior Nationals East meet. At Florida State University, Dyjak set personal bests, including a 16:52.72 in the 1650 free and a 4:54.22 in the 500 free, while also serving as 2024-25 team captain. Throughout her collegiate career, Dyjak consistently placed among the top competitors in national meets, balancing her athletic success with academic excellence.

4. Katie Schoepfer (Soccer)

Waterford native Katie Schoepfer began her soccer career as a standout player, earning All-American honors at Penn State and appearing in 100 professional games with the Boston Breakers. After coaching stints at Boston University and the College of the Holy Cross, she joined U.S. Soccer in 2021, leading the U-15 Women’s Youth National Team to the 2022 Concacaf title. In 2023, she was named head coach of the U-17 WYNT, where she was tasked with developing talent for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

5. Mike Burrows (Baseball)

Mike Burrows, a pitcher from Waterford High, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He began his professional career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and progressed through the minor leagues with stints on the West Virginia Black Bears, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Altoona Curve and Indianapolis Indians. After excelling in Double-A and Triple-A, Burrows made his MLB debut with the Pirates in September 2024.

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