He prefers to go from the front. But obviously he can come from behind as well.

Maybe Derin Klick is just good at running the 800 meters, period.

On Saturday at Hempfield High School, during the annual contesting of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Track and Field Championships, Klick again won his signature event, in spirited fashion. Klick employed a strong kick to win the 800 meters in a time of 1:54.5.

But it wasn’t easy. Is it ever?

Klick watched as two of his competitors went out strong and assumed a noticeable margin. Sitting in third place, the Lebanon High senior made his move with about 150 meters remaining in the race, as he sprinted by them down the home stretch.

It was Klick’s third straight championship in the 800 meters at the league meet. But the other two came from the lead position.

Two weeks earlier, at the Lebanon County Track and Field Championships on his home track, Klick had won the 800 meters in 1:57.4 and anchored the Cedars triumphant 1600-meter relay squad.

Klick is also the reigning Lebanon County cross country champion.

– Jeff Falk