Ruby Roberts would win the silent assassin award this year...while much of the attention has been given to runners from bigger schools like Anna Dailey and Baylee Mires, and the talented freshmen group of Neale, Knight and Weitz, she has been quietly winning championships. Roberts won the State Cross title as a sophomore in 2007 and was the runner-up in 2008. She back came strong her senior year regaining the top spot. In track she won the 1600 title and broke 5:00 at the State Meet with a 4:59.76 as a sophomore. After a fourth place finish as a junior in 2009 she again came back strong as a senior winning the State 1600 in 2A State Meet record time of 4:53.27 last weekend. Even though she has an impressive resume of individual accomplishments she is focused on and most proud of her team's successes. She is heading to Pullman next year to run for Washington State University.
Tell us a little about your school and team?
"My school, Kingston High School, has been open for just three years now. We are a relatively small school with about 850 students in attendance. Despite our low numbers, we had about 55 athletes out for XC and about 80 at the beginning of the track season. Our XC team is pretty wild and always looking for ways to have fun. Our unofficial team color is definitely neon green and our favorite slogan is "LOL XC". By the end of the season we were like one big family. Kids who would never have become friends otherwise end up sitting together at lunch everyday. We had a very successful season with both teams winning districts and our girls team placing 2nd at state by just 2 points. Our track team is not as close just because it is larger and we don't spend as much time together outside of practice but it is in no way lacking in fun or team spirit. There is never a race that goes unwatched or un-cheered for. We had a tough district meet this year with only 2 qualifying spots in each event (the years before we had 3 qualifying spots) but we had 8 athletes qualify for state nonetheless. Jaime Schultz went for the 300m hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump and 4x4, Nick Schippers ran the 1600m, Renee Henderson, Tatum Larson, Melia Beckwith and Sarah Wahl were part of the 4x4, my sister Marina Roberts ran the 3200m and I ran the 1600m and 4x4."
When did you start running?
"My parents stuck me in my first road race when I was almost 3 but I'm pretty sure I did more walking and smelling flowers then actually running. I ran road races every now and then throughout elementary and joined track in 7th and 8th grade but didn't start seriously training until my freshman Cross Country season."
What is your favorite interval workout?
"My favorite interval workout is probably a workout called Pre (after Prefontaine) that the North Kitsap Cross Country coach, Lee Hodin invented. It includes a 1600m at race pace, a 1600m at a minute slower than the first one, 6x400m and 5x200m. I like this workout because it is so challenging and I always doubt my ability to complete it but when it is over I always have a great feeling of accomplishment."
What is your most memorable race?
"The most memorable race for me was Cross Country Districts this year. Both our boys and girls teams won our respective races and everyone was so pumped! Our girls’ team went rolling in the mud to celebrate and it was impossible to wipe the smiles off our faces."
Do you participate in other sports or activities?
"I have been dancing as long as I have been running and am currently a member of the Galletta School of Dance Company. I like acting as well and have done a few school and community plays throughout high school."
Do you have any cross-country goals next fall (team and/or individual?)
"At WSU I'd like to improve my times, maybe work on a stronger kick and stay injury free. I hope to help the team improve their standings in the Pac 10 and it would be really cool to run as a team at NCAA nationals."
What is your favorite class/subject?
"My favorite subjects are probably biology and art."
What is your favorite band or singer?
"I don't really have one particular favorite band or singer. I like pretty much all music."
What is your favorite movie?
"My favorite movie is probably the Lord of the Rings series. My sisters and cousin and I watched them every day for a week one summer."
Any bit of advice or words of wisdom you would like to pass on to other runners?
"Don't be afraid to set your goals high and remember to always double knot your shoelaces."