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

Two of Eastern Washington's greatest track and field athletes were honored this week when Rick Riley and Becca (Noble) Carson were inducted into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame during the meet's 63rd annual competition at Edgar Brown Stadium. The recognition caps remarkable legacies that continue to inspire the next generation of Washington State distance runners and sprinters.

Riley's Unbreakable 60-Year Record

Now 78 years old, Rick Riley set a meet record at Pasco that has withstood six decades of competition. The Ferris High School graduate ran the 2-mile in 8 minutes, 57.1 seconds (converted to 9:00.1 for the 2-mile, now listed as a 3,200-meter time of 8:48.3), a standard that remains the longest-standing record in Pasco Invite history. Riley went on to run at Washington State University and is widely considered one of the greatest distance runners the state has ever produced.

"I just remember it was a real even-paced, relaxed effort," Riley recalled during Saturday's ceremony. He acknowledged the evolution of track surfaces and modern running shoes, joking that his record would "last 100 years" if athletes today had to run on the hardened clay tracks he competed on decades ago. Despite his humility, Riley expressed genuine pride in a record that has survived countless talented runners attempting to break it.

Carson's Sprint Dominance and National Excellence

Becca (Noble) Carson brought different speed to Rogers High School, establishing herself as one of the nation's elite middle-distance sprinters. In 2005, she set the Pasco Invite 400-meter record with a time of 54.14 seconds and captured state titles in both the 400 and 800. The year prior, she anchored Rogers' state-winning 4x400 relay team.

Carson's success extended far beyond high school. Following her Rogers career in summer 2005, she won the 800 at the USA Junior Championships, placing her among the nation's top middle-distance competitors. Her achievements continued at the University of Oregon, where she earned four All-American honors, including an outdoor national championship in the 800 during her freshman year. In 2006, Carson earned a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Beijing with a time of 2:04.72 in the 800, securing the United States' first medal in the women's 800 at that competition.

Carson, who now lives in White Salmon, Washington, attended the ceremony with her parents, who remain in Spokane. Both Riley and Carson represent the excellence that defines Spokane-area track and field, with their records and achievements continuing to motivate young athletes competing at one of Washington State's most prestigious track meets.

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