Jenn Suhr, the Gold medalist, will be in action Friday in Lyndonville

Suhr, other top pole vaulters, doing free event

Photo by Tom Rivers – Jenn Suhr competes in a pole vaulting exhibition in September at her alma mater, Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester.

LYNDONVILLE – Local residents who want to see the best woman pole vaulter in the world will get their chance Friday when Jenn Suhr competes at a sanctioned event at the White Birch Golf Course.

The second fairway will be used a runway for six vaulters, including Medina native Janice Keppler, the country’s fourth-ranked vaulter.

The White Birch is owned by Harold Suhr, who is Jenn’s brother-in-law. She married Harold’s brother Rick, who also is her coach. Rick grew up in Lyndonville and used to practice the vault on the golf course, using hay to soften his landing. Rick and Jenn have homes in Kendall and Churchville.

The vaulting will begin at 6 p.m. and go until it’s dark. There is no cost to attend the event and Suhr will have 2,000 posters on hand for free for her fans. Spectators are urged to bring their own lawn chairs.

Suhr captured the gold medal at the London Olympics last August. She won silver in 2008. Just last weekend she won an invitational in New York City.

Other competitors in Lyndonville include Heather Hamilton, the top-ranked vaulter in Canada;  Claire Dishong of Brockport and Cornell University; Linda Hadfield of Utica and Tennessee University; and Erin Champion of Tennessee University.The latter three were all strong performers in the recent NCAA east regionals in North Carolina.

The White Birch is located at 1515 North Lyndonville Rd.