Eastern Michigan Athletics
Rowing Announces 2021-22 Signing Class
7/26/2021 10:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
The Eagles will welcome eight newcomers to the roster
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Head Rowing Coach Kemp Savage announced the signing of eight student-athletes to the Eagles' 2021-22 rowing roster today, July 26.
"Our goal every year is to have experienced athletes come in and have an impact on our eights right away," Savage said. "This class looks like it will be one that will have that impact. These talented transfers were good athletes in other sports and we're looking forward to helping them progress into great rowers."
Joining the Green and White for the 2021-22 season are Tiffany Chen (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Huron), Kat Childs (Hanover, Mich.-Hanover-Horton), Abby Grogan (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.-Hendrick Hudson), Olivia Hansen (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Skyline), Payton Hopkins (Edwards, Ill.-Dunlap (Northern Michigan)), Arden Schirru (Welland, Ontario, Canada-E.L. Crossley Secondary School), Lily Wilhelm (Noblesville, Ind.-Noblesville), and Emma Wyss (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg).
Tiffany Chen – Ann Arbor, Mich.-Huron
Chen joins EMU with four years of rowing experience. A two-year letterwinner at Huron High School under coach Mike Taft. In addition, Chen earned the athletic achievement award and received perfect attendance three seasons in a row.
Kat Childs – Hanover, Mich.-Hanover-Horton
A four-year letterwinner in cross country at Hanover-Horton High School, Childs led the Comets to a 12-2 overall record her senior season. The freshman helped guide Hanover-Horton to a regional title. The four-time all-conference honoree posted a 5k time of 21:21 and qualified for the state meet every year during her high school career. In addition, Child also lettered in track and bowling.
Abby Grogan – Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.-Hendrick Hudson
Grogan comes to Ypsilanti with four years of rowing experience from the Cortlandt Community Rowing Association. The freshman participated in the women's V8+ and V4+ boats for Head Coach Avery Tompkins. In addition, the Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. native was a two-year captain for the Hendrick Hudson High School swim team.
Olivia Hansen – Ann Arbor, Mich.-Skyline
A two-year letterwinner in rowing at Skyline High School under Head Coach Kit Bennett, Hansen led the Eagles to a second-place finish at the Midwest Regional Championship in the varsity single. The freshman also placed seventh at the Scholastic National Championship in the varsity single division. Additionally, Hansen rowed for the Washtenaw Rowing Center, where she posted a fifth-place finish at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
Payton Hopkins – Edwards, Ill.-Dunlap (Northern Michigan)
Hopkins transfers to Eastern Michigan from Northern Michigan University, where she competed in Olympic Weightlifting for Head Coach Tyler Depuydt. The Edwards, Ill. native led the Wildcats to a first-place finish at the 2021 University National Championships in the coed division. Hopkins won the gold in the women's division by lifting 70kg in the snatch and 75kg in the clean and jerk for a 145 kg total. The freshman prepped at Dunlap High School, where she participated in Olympic Weightlifting, gymnastics, and powerlifting. Hopkins won the Olympic Weightlifting Illinois State Championship in 2019, a two-time national weightlifter, and was a national qualifier in 2020.
Arden Schirru – Welland, Ontario, Canada-E.L. Crossley Secondary School
Schirru joins the Green and White with three years of rowing experience where she rowed at E.L. Crossley Secondary School and for the St. Catherine's Rowing Club. The freshman has earned five gold medals over the last three years. Schirru was a member of the women's 1V8+ squad who claimed first at the 2019 ROWONTARIOS. Additionally, the 1V4+ team took home the gold at the 2019 CSSRA. The Welland, Ontario, Canada native also placed sixth for the open junior women division at the Row Ontario Erg Championships. Schirru was a member of the student honor roll and earned the arts and drama award.
Lily Wilhelm – Noblesville, Ind.-Noblesville
A standout athlete at Noblesville High School, Wilhelm joins EMU as a four-year letterwinner in track and field. The talent-transfer from Butler University posted personal bests in the long jump (15'8"), high jump (5'0), and 200m-dash (29.3) during her high school career. Wilhelm was a team captain and earned Academic All-State honors. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society.
Emma Wyss – Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg
A three-sport athlete at Miamisburg High School, Wyss joins the Eagles as an 8-time letterwinner in lacrosse, cross country, and basketball. In lacrosse, Wyss earned four letters and was named all-region honorable mention. The 5-foot-10 freshman recorded 53 goals in 19 games during her senior campaign. Additionally, Wyss was a three-time letterwinner in cross country and played one year of basketball.
After wrapping up an abbreviated season, the Eagles look forward to having a full season for the 2021-22 academic year. For more information on Eastern Michigan rowing, visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team's official Twitter at Twitter.com/EMURowing, on Facebook at Facebook.com/emurowing, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/emurowing.
"Our goal every year is to have experienced athletes come in and have an impact on our eights right away," Savage said. "This class looks like it will be one that will have that impact. These talented transfers were good athletes in other sports and we're looking forward to helping them progress into great rowers."
Joining the Green and White for the 2021-22 season are Tiffany Chen (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Huron), Kat Childs (Hanover, Mich.-Hanover-Horton), Abby Grogan (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.-Hendrick Hudson), Olivia Hansen (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Skyline), Payton Hopkins (Edwards, Ill.-Dunlap (Northern Michigan)), Arden Schirru (Welland, Ontario, Canada-E.L. Crossley Secondary School), Lily Wilhelm (Noblesville, Ind.-Noblesville), and Emma Wyss (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg).
Tiffany Chen – Ann Arbor, Mich.-Huron
Chen joins EMU with four years of rowing experience. A two-year letterwinner at Huron High School under coach Mike Taft. In addition, Chen earned the athletic achievement award and received perfect attendance three seasons in a row.
Kat Childs – Hanover, Mich.-Hanover-Horton
A four-year letterwinner in cross country at Hanover-Horton High School, Childs led the Comets to a 12-2 overall record her senior season. The freshman helped guide Hanover-Horton to a regional title. The four-time all-conference honoree posted a 5k time of 21:21 and qualified for the state meet every year during her high school career. In addition, Child also lettered in track and bowling.
Abby Grogan – Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.-Hendrick Hudson
Grogan comes to Ypsilanti with four years of rowing experience from the Cortlandt Community Rowing Association. The freshman participated in the women's V8+ and V4+ boats for Head Coach Avery Tompkins. In addition, the Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. native was a two-year captain for the Hendrick Hudson High School swim team.
Olivia Hansen – Ann Arbor, Mich.-Skyline
A two-year letterwinner in rowing at Skyline High School under Head Coach Kit Bennett, Hansen led the Eagles to a second-place finish at the Midwest Regional Championship in the varsity single. The freshman also placed seventh at the Scholastic National Championship in the varsity single division. Additionally, Hansen rowed for the Washtenaw Rowing Center, where she posted a fifth-place finish at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
Payton Hopkins – Edwards, Ill.-Dunlap (Northern Michigan)
Hopkins transfers to Eastern Michigan from Northern Michigan University, where she competed in Olympic Weightlifting for Head Coach Tyler Depuydt. The Edwards, Ill. native led the Wildcats to a first-place finish at the 2021 University National Championships in the coed division. Hopkins won the gold in the women's division by lifting 70kg in the snatch and 75kg in the clean and jerk for a 145 kg total. The freshman prepped at Dunlap High School, where she participated in Olympic Weightlifting, gymnastics, and powerlifting. Hopkins won the Olympic Weightlifting Illinois State Championship in 2019, a two-time national weightlifter, and was a national qualifier in 2020.
Arden Schirru – Welland, Ontario, Canada-E.L. Crossley Secondary School
Schirru joins the Green and White with three years of rowing experience where she rowed at E.L. Crossley Secondary School and for the St. Catherine's Rowing Club. The freshman has earned five gold medals over the last three years. Schirru was a member of the women's 1V8+ squad who claimed first at the 2019 ROWONTARIOS. Additionally, the 1V4+ team took home the gold at the 2019 CSSRA. The Welland, Ontario, Canada native also placed sixth for the open junior women division at the Row Ontario Erg Championships. Schirru was a member of the student honor roll and earned the arts and drama award.
Lily Wilhelm – Noblesville, Ind.-Noblesville
A standout athlete at Noblesville High School, Wilhelm joins EMU as a four-year letterwinner in track and field. The talent-transfer from Butler University posted personal bests in the long jump (15'8"), high jump (5'0), and 200m-dash (29.3) during her high school career. Wilhelm was a team captain and earned Academic All-State honors. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society.
Emma Wyss – Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg
A three-sport athlete at Miamisburg High School, Wyss joins the Eagles as an 8-time letterwinner in lacrosse, cross country, and basketball. In lacrosse, Wyss earned four letters and was named all-region honorable mention. The 5-foot-10 freshman recorded 53 goals in 19 games during her senior campaign. Additionally, Wyss was a three-time letterwinner in cross country and played one year of basketball.
After wrapping up an abbreviated season, the Eagles look forward to having a full season for the 2021-22 academic year. For more information on Eastern Michigan rowing, visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team's official Twitter at Twitter.com/EMURowing, on Facebook at Facebook.com/emurowing, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/emurowing.
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