Rick and Jenn Suhr address the crowd at Barker Commons on Saturday afternoon. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

FREDONIA — Family, friends and community members gathered to celebrate one of their own Saturday afternoon at Barker Commons in the village.

Fredonia native Jenn Suhr was honored with a monument paying tribute to her pole vaulting career that included multiple national championships, an indoor world record, and Olympic silver and gold medals.

“The support I got in high school is no different than the support I get now,” said Jenn, who announced her retirement earlier this year. “I think that matters to athletes. What you guys do behind the athletes in a small-town community really makes a difference. You follow us through college and you followed me throughout my pro career. It wasn’t so much the highs that mattered, it was the lows. When I was low, everybody here was there to pick me up.”

Rick Suhr, Jenn’s husband and coach, also spoke at the ceremony that was part of the Red, White and Blues Festival.

“This is a phenomenal gathering,” he said. “My job was easy. There were four things in this before I was involved. You had good teaching, great community, good coaching and phenomenal parenting. That made my job — meeting Jenn at age 22 she had never pole vaulted before — easier.”

Jenn Suhr had plenty to smile about upon her return home Saturday. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

The monument, which sits at the base of a flag pole at Barker Commons, reads:

Jenn Suhr

Olympic Gold Medalist

World Record Holder

Presented by the Fredonia Olympic Celebration Committee.

Jenn Suhr is flanked by fellow Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame inductees Stan Marshaus, left, and Randy Anderson. Suhr was enshrined in 2009. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Read complete story in Monday’s Post-Journal.

The monument dedicated to Fredonia native Jenn Suhr was unveiled Saturday afternoon. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Jenn Suhr, left, takes a selfie Saturday afternoon with Julie Essek, chairman of the Fredonia Olympic Celebration Committee, in front of the monument that honors the Olympic champion and Fredonia native. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg