Tyler Consolidated’s Amos Kimble, right, runs in the Adidas Track Nationals last weekend in Greensboro, N.C. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A new experience placed Tyler Consolidated’s Amos Kimble among the elite high school runners in the country.

Last weekend at the Adidas Track Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., Kimble turned in a pair of performances which resulted in All-American status.

Kimble, who just completed his junior year at TCHS, placed fourth out of a field of 59 runners in the two-mile with a personal record time of 9:25.72 late Saturday night. The following evening, he placed sixth out of a field of 129 runners with yet another PR of 4:19.65.

Kimble competed in the championship elite division.

“In the two-mile, I sat in second place with a mile remaining — I was going back and forth among other runners trying to get in position,” said Kimble, who is the defending Class A state champion in cross county and a double winner (1600, 3200) last month at the Class A state track meet.

Tyler Consolidated’s Amos Kimble ran in the Adidas Track Nationals last weekend in Greensboro, N.C. (Photo Provided)

“Toward the end of the last mile, there was a whole pack of us from fourth through sixth place. There was less than a second difference among us. It was really close. That race was at 9 p.m. on Saturday, and I was in the sun most of the day. That took some of my energy pretty good.

“The mile was at 6 p.m. the next day, and I felt pretty good going into that race. Probably felt better than I did running the two-mile.”

For Kimble, running was not a priority in middle school. He used the activity to train for basketball. By eighth grade, basketball was not even on the radar. Running became his passion.

As a freshman, he qualified for the state track meet in the 3200 and finished ninth. One year later, he knocked a full minute off his two-mile and placed third to coincide with fifth place in the 1600.

This past spring after dominating the state cross country field by an 18-second and change margin of victory, Kimble missed setting a Class A state track meet record by a mere two seconds in the one-mile (4:19) while coasting for an easy win in the 3200 (9:32).

In the individual events, he closed out the weekend with a fifth-place effort in the 800.

“Winning either the one-mile or two-mile along with winning the state cross country championship have been my favorite moments,” said Kimble, who gave credit to his girlfriend Mckenzie for her support through his races. “I just kind of learned what to do and how to train.”

Kimble, who is the son of Amanda and JC Kimble, realizes getting his affairs in order for the next level is closing fast. He has made a visit to his Marshall University and fell in favor with the school.

With his competitive racing complete for the summer, he plans to expand his choices and make several more visits to additional colleges.

“For the first time competing at a national meet, it was really fun – it was pretty much what I expected,” Kimble said. “If I go next year, I will try to stay out of the sun and not sit in the bleachers for eight hours.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com.