MIDLOTHIAN, Va. -- Nathan Childress, age 12, is getting to grow up in a pool hall.
And it's paying off.
Last month the Midlothian sharpshooter racked up a National 9-ball Championship in Las Vegas.
In November, he's off for Shanghai, China, for the 16-and-under World Championships.
And guess what?
He's not a drinker, smoker, womanizer, fighter or user of swear words.
His shirt is tucked in and he's so quiet and respectful, you'd think it was 1950.
"He's a good boy," said his mom, Michelle Childress. "He keeps up with his school work."
He has to. One slip and it's good-bye Diamond Billiards, where he's treated like a gentleman and completely respected as a player.
As coach and Diamond Billiards' owner Thomas Dorsey said, "His focus, for 12, is ridiculous. He focuses as good as any adult out there. He practices every single day, puts his time in which is evident and super passionate about it."
I've played a little pool myself and decided to give the young champ a try. Check out the video and see how that turned out.
By the way you can contribute to their Shanghai trip here: