5 Super Athletes With Ties To Westerly

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Westerly 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. Randi Burr (Track & Field)

A standout distance runner from Westerly High School, Randi Burr left a lasting mark on Rhode Island’s track and field scene. She was one of only seven girls in state history to earn first-team all-state honors in cross country all four years, leading her team to back-to-back state championships. Burr set multiple school records in the 1600m and 3000m, while also breaking the state’s 2K steeplechase record. Her success continued at the collegiate level, where she competed in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, consistently posting top finishes in events ranging from the 800m to the 5000m.

2. Damian Wroblewski (Football)

Damian Wroblewski built a strong career in football, first as a player and then as a respected coach. A former All-Patriot League center at Lafayette College, he transitioned to coaching and has amassed 25 years of experience across multiple programs. He has coached at schools such as Rutgers, Delaware, Elon and James Madison, where he played a key role in developing elite offensive linemen. In 2024, he joined the University of Maryland as an Assistant Offensive Line Coach, continuing his legacy of mentoring top-tier talent. His coaching tenure has seen numerous players earn All-America honors, and he has been instrumental in shaping championship-caliber offenses at both the FBS and FCS levels.

3. George Mearns (Basketball)

Westerly native George Mearns made basketball history both locally and professionally. While at Westerly High School, he set a stunning record by scoring 62 points in a single game. He later played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) for the Providence Steamrollers from 1946 to 1948. Notably, Mearns was on the court for the Boston Celtics' first-ever game in 1946, a matchup Providence won 59-53. His professional career spanned 81 games, during which he averaged 5.5 points per game.

4. George Greer (Baseball)

A Westerly native and former All-State baseball player, George Greer built a distinguished career in both playing and coaching. After starring at the University of Connecticut, he played in the minor leagues for the St. Louis Cardinals organization, reaching Triple-A with the Tulsa Oilers. Greer later became a respected coach, managing in the Cape Cod Baseball League and leading Davidson and Wake Forest’s baseball programs to success.

5. Gianna Ferraro (Tennis)

A decorated high school tennis player from Westerly, Gianna Ferraro dominated the Rhode Island tennis circuit. A four-year varsity athlete, she was a three-time first-team all-state selection and captained the Westerly High School team twice. She went undefeated in her senior season and continued her success in college, where she was named CCC Rookie of the Week and earned All-CCC First Team honors in singles play. With an impressive 15-1 singles record and 14 doubles wins in the 2021-22 season, Ferraro established herself as a key competitor at the collegiate level.

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