Ruby Stauber a quick study in the 800

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

Ruby Stauber’s dad, Robb, was a professional ice hockey player. He was the first collegiate goalie to win the Hobey Baker Award. 

Ruby’s mom, Alison Coffey, ran track for South Florida and the University of Minnesota. She later ran for ASICS West out in California. 

But Ruby, she grew up in Minnesota with the dream of one day playing soccer for the national team. 

“I started playing soccer when I was five years old,” she said. “I always wanted to be a soccer player; that was always my focus.” 

Flash forward to the summer of 2015 and Stauber is getting ready to put on a United States track and field jersey and  represent her country in the 800-meters at the Pan-American Junior Championships in Edmonton, Canada (July 31 – Aug. 2). 

“If you told me a year ago I would be running at Pan Ams, I probably would have laughed and wouldn’t have believed you,” Stauber said. 

Stauber’s path to the sport didn’t begin until middle school. While still playing soccer, she gave track a go because of her mom. 

“She ran in college (middle distance) and I kind of looked up to her,” Stauber said. But the girl with the multi-sport resume and the movie-star sounding first name, quickly realized running was in her genes. 

Stauber, who excels in the sprints, particularly the 400, didn’t find her niche in the 800 until last summer. 

After a soccer injury that sidelined her for a large portion of the outdoor track last spring at Wayzata High (Plymouth, Minn.) she wanted to extend the season a bit longer.  

It was at the AAU National Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa where she ran an eye-opening 2:11.84 to finish in second place. 

Stauber’s high school head coach Lori Cade said the 800 turned out to be a good fit because of her initial sprint base. 

“She’s got the speed to run the 100, and the endurance, and she’s got a really good work ethic,” Cade said. 

That time motivated Stauber to an offseason filled with cross-training, core and strength work. 

And in the cold Minnesota winters that never seem to end, she had one of the best training partners around: her mom. 

“There are times we butt heads but it is a blessing,” Stauber said. “She has a lot of knowledge and she always gives me the confidence I need.”

Stauber said her goal coming into her junior year was to run faster than 2:10.

This spring Stauber accomplished that and more. She broke a 29-year old state record at the AA state meet where she clocked 2:06.50. 

“That was a really fun experience with friends and family around,” Stauber said. 

Two weeks later she was invited to attend the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Washington where she placed fourth in a U.S. top-10 time and personal best of 2:05.67.

She was happy with the time but felt frustrated getting edged out at the finish.  

She said the experience at Brooks was a blessing in disguise as she felt better prepared a week later stepping on the line at U.S. Junior Nationals in Eugene, Oregon.  

“She’s very competitive and races hard when she’s out there,” Cade said. 

Stauber redeemed herself nabbing second place (2:08.36), barely beating out Sarah Walker (2:08.37) to qualify for Pan Ams Jrs. 

Stauber, who was named the Minnesota Girls Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year, said the sort of new-found track attention hasn’t been too big of a deal. 

She grew up with well-known athletic parents and understands the fame. 

Her dad’s illustrious coaching career has included being named to the U.S. national women's staff, coaching the the goaltenders at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

“I’ve gotten the opportunity to be around a lot of the players, which is really cool to kind of hear from them,” Stauber said. “I’m very fortunate in that aspect.”

Added Cade: “She is very humble about her accomplishments; she really doesn’t go for that kind of thing.”

Stauber, who describes herself as laid back and quieter at times, said her hockey career never really took off. She started later than most girls, so was behind. 

“I did enjoy it though,” she said.

Her brother, Jaxson, 16, however, is a hockey goalie. Stauber thinks he’d make a great runner, too. 

“Ruby’s just got some great genes,” Cade said.

This fall Stauber won’t be playing soccer. Those days are over. She said the risk of injury isn’t worth it. Instead, she’ll be gearing up for her final track high school season, which may include workouts with the cross country team. (The Wayzata girls won the 2013 NXN title).

“’I’m excited, to see what I can do next year,” she said.

But right now heading into Edmonton, the rising senior said she’s looking forward to the competition and another opportunity to race. She said her mom will be going with her. 

“I’m just really excited to represent the U.S. and go out there and do well,” she said.