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GREENSBORO — A 200-meter, 400-meter combination isn’t out of the ordinary for a track star. In fact, that was the specialty of legendary American sprinter Michael Johnson.

But when there’s a runner who can add the 800-meter, too, you’re talking about some serious versatility.

Greensboro’s 13-year-old Xavier Jones ran those three events at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Eastern Michigan University earlier this month, and the unique combination seemed to fit him just fine.

Jones, who will turn 14 in August, pasted his competition in the Youth Boys (13-14) 200- and 400-meter events by running times of 22.94 and 51.14, respectively.

The young sprinter amazingly doesn’t even train for the 800-meter event, but he chose to run it anyway and placed third overall.

“I was just pacing myself with the other kids to keep up with them, and then start sprinting when I get to the 200 mark,” Jones said.

He moved to the area from Illinois in 2005, and the speedster joined the Greensboro Champions Track Club led by Roy “Spaceman” Thompson — the well-respected director of track programs at A&T.

His mother, La’Sha, decided on Thompson because of his experience and reputation, and though her son switched to another program for a year, he’s now back with Greensboro Champions.

Thompson, who has been coaching since 1975, said he could “count on one hand the kids who have had that type of talent.”

He noticed Jones’ abilities early on, and the results have certainly been noteworthy.

“Very special young man,” Thompson said. “Kids with those talents only come along once in a while.”

La’Sha said her son always had plenty of energy, but she really took notice during his first year in Greensboro when he was able to fight through an injury to his hip flexor and still qualify for nationals.

“With that I knew that he had good determination and will to go along with the speed,” she said.

Jones still holds the 200- and 400- meter records in the Boys Midget (11-12) division, and his mother said he thrives in the national, ultra-competitive environment.

While Jones stands out in an event like the 800 without much training, Thompson sees him as an extremely strong sprinter in the 200- and 400-meter events during his high school years. Jones indicated that he’d also like to do the 100, as well as the 800-meter a couple more times — “just for fun.”

The young star said he works with Thompson on his explosion out of the starting blocks and his overall form.

“I have like good form, and sometimes I just think about it too much and that slows me down,” he said.

But when he enters Ragsdale High this fall as a freshman, track won’t be the only sport on his mind. Jones played football in middle school, and he’s ready to try and make an impact this season as a running back and cornerback.

His mom is supportive of his athletic endeavors, but a bit of comedic concern flies up when asked if her son will be on the gridiron this season.

“Oh, goodness,” she said. “That’s what he says.”

College is four long years away from Jones, but with his type of talent, there will likely be plenty of options when the time comes.

His mother said she thinks going far away won’t be an issue because of the family’s military background, and she said they’ll look at the different athletic and academic programs available since she knows his athletic gifts “will come to an end eventually.”

“I want him to take in the whole big picture of the school,” she said.