Only at Avon Lake for two years, Hiles left quite an impression as a Shoremen distance runner.

He was a member of Avon Lake's first-ever cross country team in the fall of his junior year. He took third place at the Ashland Distance Classic hosted by districts, second at regionals and was a runner-up at the state championship meet.

Hiles ran track during both years at ALHS. He advanced to the state meet in Columbus, qualifying in the two-mile run. He took sixth at the meet, collapsing in the infield alongside one of his biggest rivals, Sid Sink, in 90 degree heat.

Hiles moved to Cleveland after his junior year and attended Collinwood High School before moving to Anderson, Ind. in January of 1968. Hiles' quest for a state championship finally concluded at the Indiana High School Athletic Association state track and field finals as a member of the Madison Heights High School team. Hiles took first place in the mile run with a time of 4:08, setting a state record. Hiles ran a time of 8:56.4 in the two-mile at the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento. His mile time (4:08) and his time in the two-mile at the Golden West Invite were the fastest times recorded by any U.S. high school athlete.

Hiles went on to run track at Indiana University from 1968-72. Inducted into the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1982, Hiles took his first coaching job in 1983 and remains a coach until this day.