Communities salute Olympic Gold Medalist Jenn Suhr

by Kristina Gabalski

Village of Churchville Mayor Nancy Steedman holds a USA Olympic banner autographed by Jenn Suhr with Riga Town Supervisor Bob Ottley (shown in the background). The banner will be hung in the village office. Photograph by David Knox. Riga resident and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Jenn Suhr was honored by her neighbors, Riga and Churchville residents and leaders as well as county and state officials during a celebration September 29 outside the firehouse on Washington Street in Churchville.

Jenn was presented plaques and proclamations from the Town of Riga, the Village of Churchville, the Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce, Monroe County and the New York State Senate and Assembly.

State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer presented the pole vaulter with a proclamation from the New York State Senate. “Standing next to a gold medalist gives us the shivers,” he said.

Churchville Mayor Nancy Steedman told Suhr, “You bring pride and honor to yourself, your community and the United States of America.”

Jenn signed autographs for a long line of fans and those in attendance were welcome to get a close-up view and even hold the gold medal. Photograph by David Knox.Suhr thanked her community and said she will remember her gold medal win in the pole vault forever. “It was the most magical moment of my life,” she said. “It was a long four years from Beijing (where she won a silver medal) to London. We had one goal in mind – to bring home the gold medal and share it with as many people as possible.”

And that’s just what she and her husband and coach, Rick, did following the ceremonies. Jenn signed autographs for a long line of fans and those in attendance were welcome to get a close-up view and even hold the gold medal. She also signed an Olympic banner which will hang in the village office.

The event was followed by a motorcade through the village to North Chili where Jenn served as the grand marshal of the Roberts Wesleyan Homecoming Parade.

Jenn Suhr was escorted in a motorcade through the Village of Churchville to North Chili. Photo by David KnoxSuhr was the Grand Marshal in the Roberts Wesleyan Homecoming parade. Photo by David Knox.