KINGSTON — For the second time in three years, Kingston High School senior Ruby Roberts finished first in the state 2A cross country championships. And this time, her little sister stood right next to her on the podium.

Roberts won the five-kilometer race Nov. 7 with a time of 18 minutes, 6 seconds. Her sister, Marina, a sophomore, took second place in the race, with a time of 18:28. The two girls said they don’t view each other as rivals, but racing together keeps them motivated to do their best.

“I always try not to let Marina beat me,” Ruby Roberts said.

But the younger Roberts is usually close on her sister’s heels. In their last three races, Marina Roberts has finished right behind her big sister.

“I always try to keep Ruby in sight,” Marina Roberts said.

The Kingston girls placed second as a team, with 59 points, just two points behind champion Sehome High School. Kingston’s Ramona Morshead finished 11th in the race, with a time of 19:35.

Ruby Roberts’ time was the third-fastest for all female runners in all divisions at the state meet. Turning in the top times this year were 4A champion Anna Dailey of Garfield High, who finished in 17:58, and 1A winner Maddie Meyers of Northwest High, who finished in 18:01.

Ruby Roberts also won the state championship as a sophomore. Last year, as a junior, she took second place. Her best time in a 5K race is 17:55, she said.

“(Ruby) has good partners that she runs with, but she’ll keep getting better and better if she improves her technique,” Kingston Head Coach Roger Coffman said.

With the elder Roberts moving on to college next year, Coffman said it is likely Marina Roberts will take over as the team’s top runner.

“I expect (Marina) to be just like her sister: to have fun, continue working on her form and to be excited about being in a good program,” Coffman said. “They both are team players, and it’s really nice for the rest of the kids. They’re great role models.”

Ruby Roberts sees her sister’s potential as well.

“I think Marina’s going to be pretty fast,” Ruby Roberts said. “She’s already started off pretty great.”

Coffman said both sisters owe much of their success to experience and strong work ethics.

“I think we like to work hard,” Ruby Roberts said. “The more we run, the better we feel.”