Shaine Casas returns to the Rio Grande Valley after Olympic debut

MCALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A meet and greet was held at the McAllen Public Library for Olympian Shaine Casas on Thursday.

Casas drew a sizable crowd to the event with his infectious humor and excitement.

He says he is proud of his achievements but explains that he is still learning.

“I know for myself, I know I did well in a sense I didn’t do what I thought I could do,” Casas said. “So for myself, especially the past month, a lot of it has been reflecting and how did it go wrong in perspective of I should have done better.”

Casas received a medal from the City of McAllen in honor of competing at the Olympics and representing his hometown.

He says he is thankful for the support and it is a driving factor in helping him improve.

“The Valley kind of just pushing me forward and rooting for me and it’s nice to know that because I didn’t really know that before. “Now knowing that it’s kind of like extra motivation for myself.”

Casas will still compete and wants to make a bigger splash at the next Olympic Games.

“I told my new coach, we had a meeting and I said you know I don’t wanna be the guy who just makes it, I wanna be somebody that’s in a lot of events and contributing on relays,” he said. “Making the Olympics is such a high feat, but I feel like I can still take even one more step further than that.”

Casas also presented an autographed flag he brought back from Paris to the McAllen Public Library.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KVEO-TV.