Local Olympic medalist honored during Pickerington Labor Day celebration

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) – The Pickerington community is honoring a silver medal winner at the 2024 Summer Olympics who graduated from Pickerington High School North in 2014.

Annette Echikunwoke was on a special U.S.A. themed float during the community's Labor Day Parade. The community showed their love for her with cheers and signs on Monday.

“I almost started to tear up, I was like oh my gosh, it’s like my city, and like all the support and the love, you feel it, so it's amazing," Echikunwoke said.

Echikunwoke won the silver in the hammer throw. She became the first American woman to medal in the event.

“It’s been a whirlwind in the best way. And it's just a lot of heartfelt messages and a lot of just yea, a lot of amazing amazing things," she said.

Some of her high school coaches shared earlier this summer how proud they were of Echikunwoke.

Lisa Milne, a Pickerington resident and Director of Alumni Relations for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said the most exciting part of the Monday parade was seeing how proud residents are of Echikunwoke.

"I think it just solidifies her legacy for the Pickerington community, she is our all star, she will always be our all star," Milne said. "“Annette is a true Olympian and she is now our Olympian here in Pickerington."

Echikunwoke was also given an honorary key to the city during a presentation after the parade. Mayor Lee Gray said it's the highest honor the mayor and city can bestow. Echikunwoke said the cheers in Paris were awesome but hearing cheers in Pickerington was a different kind of special.

“It's the people that know me, a lot of people, I'm seeing a lot of familiar faces I haven't seen in a while, people I've seen recently and it's just so sweet and touching," Echikunwoke said.

Sept. 3 is Annette Echikunwoke day in Pickerington, an honor given to her after she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.