The first-ever lacrosse class at EMU features seven student-athletes from five different states, and one USA Lacrosse All-American: Riley Brannon (Lake Worth, Fla.-Saint John Paul II Academy), Claire Dillard (Milford, Ohio-Saint Ursula Academy), Tracy Grollman (Annapolis, Md.-Annapolis Area Christian School), Olivia Halverson (Hillsborough, N.J.-Hillsborough), Emily Kahn (Toms River, N.J.-Toms River North), Avery Schwab (Dublin, Ohio-Dublin-Scioto), and Samantha Stephens (Versailles, Ky.-Woodford County).
“The seven athletes who have made the choice to join us this year are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime,” said Jackson. “They will be setting the tone athletically, academically and culturally for our new lacrosse program. They are the foundation and the core of what we are starting. Their athletic and academic prowess speaks for themselves and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish here at EMU.”
For updates on all things lacrosse, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMU_Lacrosse, and Twitter, @EMU_Lacrosse.
Riley Brannon MID Fr. Lake Worth, Fla.-Saint John Paul II Academy
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Saint John Paul II Academy and played under Head Coach Jeff Atkins as a member of the Eagles…Helped guide the Eagles to a 6-1 start her junior year before the cancellation of the season…Also played club lacrosse for the Lady Swashbucklers under Head Coach Jeff Atkins…Was named second-team all-district during her sophomore season…PERSONAL: Full Name: Riley Dannell Brannon…Daughter of Larry and Ami Brannon…Father Larry played football at the University of Central Florida and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga…Has one brother, Cael, and one sister, Delaney…Sister Delaney plays lacrosse at Fresno State University…Major: Chemistry intent.
Claire Dillard MID/DEF Fr. Milford, Ohio-Saint Ursula Academy
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Saint Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio and played under Head Coach Todd Graham…Three-time letterwinner as a member of the Bulldogs…Played club lacrosse for Major Force Lacrosse (MFL) under Head Coach Lisa Mitchelides and FCA Lacrosse Cincy under Head Coach Pat Thatcher…Also participated in competitive horse riding…PERSONAL: Full Name: Claire Nicole Dillard…Daughter of Ken Dillard and Debbie Mitchell…Has two brothers, Bryce and Grayson, and one sister, Caroline…Major: Biology or Neuroscience intent.
Tracy Grollman ATT Fr. Annapolis, Md.-Annapolis Area Christian School
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Annapolis Area Christian School and played under Head Coach Bob Steinau…Four-time letterwinner as a member of the Eagles…Played club lacrosse for Pure Lacrosse under Head Coach Mark Allgaier…Was a three-sport athlete at AACS where she played soccer as a midfielder/forward and basketball as a point guard/shooting guard in addition to lacrosse…Named to the IAAMB All-Conference Lacrosse Team and Girls Lacrosse Anne Arundel All-County Second Team in 2019…PERSONAL: Full Name: Tracy Nicole Grollman…Daughter of Thomas and Amy Grollman…Has two sisters, Taylor (twin) and Stephanie…Sister Taylor also plays lacrosse and is verbally committed to play goalie for the Temple University Owls…Major: Sport management intent.
Olivia Halverson MID Fr. Hillsborough, N.J.-Hillsborough
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough, N.J. and played under Head Coach Kristina Dunphey…Four-time letterwinner and three-time captain as a member of the Raiders…Named one of the top-75 freshmen to watch in N.J. in 2018 by N.J.com…Earned Second Team All-Skyland Conference honors as a sophomore…Played club lacrosse for the T3 Elite Central 2021 Black team under Head Coach Kristen Nicholson…Was a member of the T3 All-Star team during club season…Also participated in field hockey as a midfielder…PERSONAL: Full Name: Olivia Kroll Halverson…Daughter of David and Cathy Halverson…Has one brother, Alan Brown…Major: Business or Pre-law intent.
Emily Kahn DEF Fr. Toms River, N.J.-Toms River North
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Toms River High School North in Toms River, N.J. and played under Head Coach Katherine Muller…Four-time letterwinner and one-year captain as a member of the Mariners…Plays club lacrosse for the T3 Elite and Mad Dog Lacrosse…Also participated in soccer…PERSONAL: Full Name: Emily Ann Kahn…Daughter of Laurence Kahn and Julie Grzyb…Has one brother, Alex…Major: Pre-dental.
Avery Schwab ATT Fr. Dublin, Ohio-Dublin Scioto
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Named a USA Lacrosse Academic All-American and received the Jackie Pitts Award…Attended Dublin Scioto High School and played under Randall Swope as a member of the Irish…Four-time letterwinner as an Irish attacker…Ranked second on the team in scoring during her freshman year (30 goals)…Increased her goal production her sophomore year with 65 goals…Also led the team in assists in her second year (34)…Played club lacrosse for Major Force Lacrosse (MFL)…Helped lead the Irish to a school-record 14 wins in 2019…Two-time letterwinner in basketball…PERSONAL: Full Name: Avery Elizabeth Schwab…Daughter of Dave and Sally Schwab…Has one sister, Sophia…Major: Biochemistry intent.
Samantha Stephens ATT/MID Fr. Versailles, Ky.-Woodford County
EMU: Joins the EMU lacrosse program as an incoming recruit…HIGH SCHOOL: Named a USA Lacrosse All-American…Attended Woodford County High School and played under Head Coach Haven Buckner as a member of the Yellow Jackets…Key member of the Yellow Jackets’ squad that won back-to-back Kentucky state championships (2018-19)…Also played club lacrosse for the Bluegrass Bandits…PERSONAL: Full Name: Samantha Nicole Stephens…Daughter of Eric and Amy Stephens…Has one brother, Thomas…Major: Psychology intent.
