By Jimmy Robertson

BLACKSBURG – She runs rather fast on the track, but since returning from Rio de Janeiro, Kristi Castlin has been traveling at warp speed.

She received recognition in her home city of Atlanta. She attended fashion week in New York City. She was part of Serena Williams’ Fashion Show and attended an after party held by the tennis superstar. And today, Castlin had plans to travel to Chicago to tape a segment for The Steve Harvey Show.

Such rewards go to Olympic medalists.

“It definitely feels good,” Castlin said. “It’s definitely a change in lifestyle. I’m super busy, but it’s always good. I’m happy to be a medalist, and I’m excited about the future as well.”

Castlin took time out of her busy schedule to come to Blacksburg this past Saturday for the Hokies’ football game against Boston College. During the first quarter, the athletics department recognized her for her accomplishments at the Olympic Games in Rio, where she became the second Hokie athlete to win an Olympic medal – and the first female athlete. She took the bronze medal in the 100-meter hurdles as part of an American sweep of the event.

Castlin expected the attention that came with winning. However, she never expected the reaction that she has received from the American public.

“I am surprised at the appreciation,” she said. “A lot of people have come up to me and said, ‘Thank you for representing us’ and ‘Thank you for doing a great job.’ That’s been the most surprising. It’s touching and it definitely feels good to see that type of reaction from people.”

Castlin’s claiming of the bronze enabled her to continue her pioneering ways for Virginia Tech. In 2007 – just days after the horrible shooting massacre on campus – she became the first Tech female athlete to win an ACC championship in a hurdles event. That gold medal played a key role in helping the Tech women’s program win its first ACC team title.

While she missed on claiming an elusive national championship, she graduated in 2010 with seven All-America honors – the most by a female athlete in Virginia Tech history.

“It’s definitely a special place for me,” Castlin said. “When I came to Virginia Tech, that was my first time leaving Atlanta. Virginia Tech – the school, the faculty and the students – all contributed to who I am and contributed to me having a wonderful experience. And they all helped get me where I am today.”

Castlin’s rise to international superstar hasn’t been easy. In 2012, she competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials, but failed to make the finals in the 100 hurdles. So she missed on competing at the Olympic Games in London.

She waited four long years for another opportunity. In early July, she made the finals of the 100 hurdles and finished second, qualifying for her first Olympics.

“I wasn’t surprised,” she said. “I was definitely happy. I knew from the very beginning of the season that I was going to make the Olympic team because I was going to do whatever it possibly took to do it. I knew it wasn’t an easy and simple journey, but I have that tenacity, and if its something I want, then I go after it. It always seems to come to fruition when I’ve done that.”

Her race in the finals in Rio wasn’t exactly textbook. She battled cramps in her hamstring leading up to the race, and then got off to a slow start and wasn’t smooth over a couple of hurdles. But her speed – and determination – enabled her to finish third behind gold medalist Brianna Rollins and silver medalist Nia Ali.

The performance, though a touch flawed by her high standards, actually has her excited about her future.

“From a technical aspect, it [the race] could have been significantly better and that’s why I’m so excited about my career moving forward,” she said. “I think I’m at the tip of the iceberg. One thing about me as a hurdler is that I think I’ve gotten better as I have gotten older. I understand my event more, and I’m in more control.”

The 28-year-old enjoyed her entire Olympic experience. She met beach volleyball star Kerri Walsh Jennings and gymnast Simone Biles, who won five gold medals. She participated in the closing ceremony and bonded with track teammates Vashti Cunningham – the daughter of former NFL standout Randall Cunningham – and Sydney McLaughlin, the youngest Olympian of any U.S. representative.

She’s obviously continued that whirlwind upon her return to the States, but also has mixed in charity work and community service. She recently accepted an invitation to be on Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ gun-control coalition.

Castlin said she would continue training in hopes of making the U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.

“I’m training for next year’s World Championships that are in London next August,” she said. “The World Championships are the equivalent to the NFC Championship or the ACC Championships. It’s one step below the Olympics, which is the equivalent of the Super Bowl for our sport. Then four years from now, I want to be on the team again for Tokyo. After that, I see myself competing for one more year and then I’ll probably be retiring.”

She’ll certainly have options whenever she decides to retire. Modeling, consulting, social work, real estate, or international affairs are just a few of the choices. She smartly continues to use her celebrity status now to network for the future.

In the meantime, though, she’ll be moving around to a lot of different places. Fast, of course. It’s the only way she knows.

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