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

Two titans of Washington State high school track and field received the honor of a lifetime Saturday when legendary sprinter Becca (Noble) Carson of Rogers High School and distance running pioneer Rick Riley of Ferris High School were inducted into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame during the meet's 63rd running at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco.

Riley's Record Stands Unshattered for Six Decades

At 78 years old, Rick Riley remains the standard bearer for Eastern Washington distance running. Sixty years ago this spring, Riley etched his name into Pasco Invite lore with a 2-mile victory in a converted time of 8 minutes, 57.1 seconds, a meet record that has survived an astounding six decades of competition. The record still stands today as the longest-standing mark in the Pasco Invite's storied history.

"I just remember it was a real even-paced, relaxed effort," Riley said of his historic performance. He noted with humility and humor that modern track surfaces and shoes would likely extend his record's longevity even further. Riley, who went on to compete at Washington State University, continues to hold the state meet record in the 3,200 meters at 8:48.3.

Now serving as head cross country coach at Saint George's and assistant track coach, Riley stands among the greatest long-distance runners the state has ever produced. While Rogers standout Gerry Lindgren is often synonymous with Spokane distance running excellence, Riley's achievements certainly deserve a place on any Mount Rushmore of Pacific Northwest track legends.

Carson's Championship Sprint to National Stardom

Becca Carson, a sprinting sensation who dominated the Rogers High School track program, set the Pasco Invite 400-meter meet record with a blistering 54.14 seconds in 2005. That same year, Carson captured state titles in both the 400 and 800 meters, establishing herself as one of the Pacific Northwest's most explosive middle-distance runners.

The accolades didn't stop at the high school level. Carson's talents earned her a scholarship to the University of Oregon, where she became a four-time All-American and won an outdoor national championship her freshman year in the 800 meters. In the summer of 2006, less than a year after her high school graduation, Carson earned a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Beijing with a time of 2:04.72, securing the United States' first-ever medal in the women's 800 at that competition.

Carson, who now lives in White Salmon, Washington, attended Saturday's ceremony with her parents. Both honorees represented the pinnacle of Washington State prep track excellence, inspiring future generations of Spokane-area runners to chase greatness on the oval.

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