Metro East Sun

State Representative Amy Elik celebrated the homecoming of Olympian Jade Ulrich, stating, "What a fun celebration for a humble young woman who has worked harder than we can even imagine to get to represent Team USA!" She made the statement in an Aug. 10 Facebook post.

"A huge crowd welcomed our Olympian Jayden Ulrich home today," said E Elik, State Representative for 111st District (R), according to Facebook. "The community turned out to celebrate Jayden with a parade and ceremony where she received keys to the city of Wood River and Village of East Alton, along with legislative commendations from myself and Senator Erica Harriss. What a fun celebration for a humble young woman who has worked harder than we can even imagine to get to represent Team USA!"

According to her athlete bio at TeamUSA.com, twenty-one-year-old Jayden Ulrich finished 18th in the discus throw.

Screenshot of Rep. Amy Elik's Aug. 10 Facebook post | State Representative Amy Elik's Facebook page.

Ulrich graduated from East Alton-Wood River High School in 2021, became a state champion, and learned on July 9, 2024, that she had made the US Olympic team after finishing second in the Olympic Trials in Oregon, according to an Edwardsville Intelligencer story dated July 20. The EA-WR graduate began her college education at Indiana University, where she threw discus for two years before transferring to Louisville. The Olympics was Ulrich’s first international competition.

Her hometown welcomed her with a parade and ceremony, according to an Aug. 10 report from The Telegraph. She drove home from the Olympics on Aug. 7 alone, but on Aug. 10, she was far from alone.

Hundreds lined Edwardsville Road and Wood River Avenue before the parade found its way to the Wood River Recreation Center, where Ulrich met her local fans and celebrated on a day both communities – East Alton and Wood River – dedicated as "Jayden Ulrich Day," The Telegraph reported.

The parade included Ulrich in a convertible, her high school track coach and assistant coach in another vehicle, and the crowd of vehicles passed under a huge US flag flying between police and fire vehicles. The event featured an autograph session with limited edition photographs, a meet-and-greet session with local politicians, former coaches, and teachers.

The Telegraph reports that Ulrich will return to Louisville to resume her studies as a geography major while continuing her athletic training.

Elik has represented the people of the 111th District since 2021 following an election win in 2020. She has been a Foster Township Trustee, a board member for St. Mary’s Catholic School, and co-leader of the Fosterburg AG 4H club according to her official biography.