Spokane Legends Rick Riley and Becca Carson Enshrined in Pasco Invite Hall of Fame

Two of Washington State's most dominant track and field athletes were honored this weekend when Rick Riley and Becca (Noble) Carson were inducted into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame during the meet's 63rd running at Edgar Brown Stadium. The recognition caps remarkable legacies that still define Spokane prep sports excellence.

Riley's 60-Year Record Still Standing Strong

At 78 years old, Rick Riley watched as his name was immortalized for a record that has endured six decades. The Ferris High School graduate set the 2-mile record at Pasco in 1964, clocking 9:00.1 (converted to 8:57.1), which translates to 3,200 meters in modern times. Incredibly, no athlete has broken it in all those years, making it the longest-standing meet record in Pasco Invite history.

Riley, who went on to run at Washington State University and now serves as head cross country coach and assistant track coach at Saint George's, remains humble about the achievement. "I just remember it was a real even-paced, relaxed effort," Riley said at the ceremony. He joked that if today's elite runners had access to modern tracks and equipment, his record would likely stand for another century.

Among Washington's all-time great distance runners, Riley stands alongside legendary Rogers standout Gerry Lindgren as one of the state's finest. He continues to hold the state meet record in the 3,200 at 8:48.3. "It makes you pretty proud that that time is still relevant," Riley reflected on his induction.

Carson's Explosive Speed Launched National Career

Becca (Noble) Carson earned her place in Pasco history as one of the most explosive sprinters ever produced by Rogers High School. In 2005, she set the meet record in the 400 meters with a blistering 54.14, then capped that same year by winning state titles in both the 400 and 800. A year earlier, she anchored Rogers' state-winning 4x400 relay.

Her dominance extended far beyond the high school ranks. That summer of 2005, Carson won the 800 at the USA Junior Championships, establishing herself as one of the nation's elite middle-distance sprinters. Her college career at the University of Oregon proved equally impressive, earning four All-American honors including an outdoor national championship in the 800 as a freshman.

Perhaps her most prestigious achievement came at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing, where Carson captured a bronze medal in the 800 with a time of 2:04.72, securing the United States' first-ever medal in the women's 800 at that competition.

Both athletes' achievements remind us why Spokane remains a powerhouse in Washington State track and field, with new generations of runners constantly pushing to match the excellence set by Riley and Carson.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.