(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Times News is running a series of stories asking area coaches and athletic directors to remember their “Most Memorable” sporting event. Today’s Most Memorable moment comes from Tamaqua track and field coach Tom Kanger)

By Emmett McCall

emccall@tnonline.com

The year was 2006.

Tom Kanger was in the early stages of what has turned out to be an extremely successful coaching career with the Tamaqua track and field team.

That season, Kanger traveled to the PIAA Championships with a lot more confidence than would normally be expected for someone in the infancy of a coaching career, however.

Kanger was expecting to see a gold medal performance in Shippensburg.

Why was he so confident?

In two words: Derrik Keich.

“Sometimes coaches learn from their athletes - and this was one of those times,” explained Kanger. “I had a special tie with Derrik because I also coached cross country and he was on that team, as well as the track team.

“What I learned from Derrik is how big of a role confidence and belief can play in an athlete’s success. No one was more confident in his ability than Derrik. He knew he was going to win a gold medal at States, and his confidence made me confident.”

Kanger said Keich’s confidence came from his preparation.

“Nobody worked harder than Derrik,” said Kanger. “When you combine his outstanding work ethic with his unbelievable athletic ability, it was easy to understand why he was so confident.”

That combination set the stage for what Kanger called the “Most Memorable” moment of his 17-year coaching career with the Raiders.

It happened at the PIAA Championships on May 27, 2006 in the Class 2A finals of the 300 meter intermediate hurdles.

One day earlier in the semifinals, Keich had the second fastest time of all the hurdlers.

That performance made it obvious Keich had what it took to compete with the states’s best, and also showed he might not be the favorite in the event, but that didn’t bother him in the least.

Nor did it bother his coach, who was still confident that in the finals Keich would find another gear and bring home the gold.

He remained extremely confident - until the third hurdle.

That’s when his confidence hit a pause.

“Derrik got off to a great start in the final,” recalled Kanger, who said the race is still as fresh in his mind as if it happened yesterday. “He actually had a nice lead going into the third hurdle. But he hit that hurdle, and just that quick (Brandon) Tress was ahead of him. I remember thinking ‘oh no’ when it happened.

“But Derrik just kept battling and he pulled even on the last hurdle. They were step-for-step to the finish line, but Derrik got a perfect lean at the tape. He ended up winning by two-hundreths of a second. It was incredible.”

It was such an incredible finish that Kanger wanted a permanent reminder.

“It was the first year that they started taking photos at the finish line at States and then selling them,” said Kanger. “I went over right away and bought one. It was a perfect finish by Derrick ... hands out, chest forward at the line.

“I still have the photo. It’s a great reminder of that day. Derrik was my first state champ as a head coach. Since then, we’ve had Allison Updike (2010), Kayla Hope (2011) and Christine Streisel (2011) all win state championships. They were all very special for different reasons, but that first one is hard to beat.”

Another reason that Keich’s performance stands out is the relationship Kanger had with Derrik’s family.

“Derrik’s father, Dave Keich, was one of the all-time greats in Tamaqua track history,” said Kanger. “He won five state medals in his career. Then, when I took over as coach in 2003, Dave was one of my assistants. He eventually had to give up coaching because of a change in jobs, but he stayed close to the program.

“Dave and Derrik had a great relationship. I remember earlier that season, they shared a special moment when Derrik broke his father’s school record in the 300 hurdles. Then at States, Derrik broke his own record. His time in the state final that day (38.65) was his best time ever. He definitely saved his best for last.”

The other lasting memory Kanger has of that day was when Derrik finally finished up his post race interviews and was able to greet his family and friends.

“Everyone has to wait outside the track at Shippensburg, so when Derrik finally came out the gate, all his family and friends were waiting for him and totally mobbed him,” said Kanger. “I can still remember all the hugging and cheering when he walked out to see them.”

Kanger said he still keeps in touch with a lot of his former athletes, and Keich is one of them.

“Derrik is stationed in California and serving in the Navy,” said Kanger. “I just contacted him recently to let him know about this article. It’s really nice to catch up with your former athletes and see how they are doing - and of course talk about some of their past accmplishements.

“The memories of that season - and that day in Shippensburg in particular - is something that I’m sure both of us will always remember.”