Kingston's Ruby Roberts reflects on state track title

KINGSTON — Kingston High senior Ruby Roberts ended her high school running career with a state title, and broke a few records in the process.

Roberts won the state championship in the Class 2A girls 1,600 meters May 29 in Tacoma, completing the race in 4 minutes, 53.27 seconds. Her time was more than six seconds ahead of second-place finisher Annie Moore of Sehome High. Roberts’ time was also more than six seconds faster than her previous personal best, which was also a school record, and was about one second better than the previous Class 2A girls state record.

“I knew I really wanted to run a fast time,” Roberts said. “But I wasn’t sure how I was going to do.”

The previous state 2A record of 4:54.51 was set by Bellingham’s Becca Friday in 2007. Breaking it didn’t come easy.

Roberts said the final 200 meters was probably the worst 200 meters she has ever run. She was exhausted and sick for a brief period after the race, but happy with her accomplishment.

“She left it all on the track,” Kingston High track coach Karla Laubach said.

Roberts also won a state title in cross country in November, and previously as a sophomore.

Last week’s win was the second state track title in three years for Roberts, who also won the 1,600 meters as a sophomore. The race held a mixture of emotions for Roberts, who will run at Washington State University next year.

“It’s kind of sad that it was the last time I’ll run the mile in high school,” she said.

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