Spokane Track Legends Rick Riley and Becca Noble Carson Inducted into Pasco Invite Hall of Fame

Two of Eastern Washington's most dominant track and field athletes were honored Saturday at the Pasco Invite, one of the state's most prestigious prep track meets. Rick Riley, the legendary distance runner from Ferris High School, and Becca Noble Carson, the sprinting sensation who starred at Rogers High School, were both inducted into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame during the event's 63rd running at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco.

Riley's 60-Year Record Still Stands Strong

Now 78 years old, Rick Riley etched his name into Pasco Invite lore six decades ago when he set the meet record in the 2-mile (converted to 3,200 meters) with a time of 8:57.1, a mark that has never been broken. The Ferris graduate, who went on to run at Washington State University, continues to hold the state meet record in the same event at 8:48.3, showcasing his dominance across multiple levels of competition.

"I just remember it was a real even-paced, relaxed effort," Riley said of his record-setting performance. Riley remains humble about the longevity of his achievement, noting that modern track surfaces and equipment would have extended the record even further. "I've jokingly said that if I had the tracks and the shoes the kids are using today, that record would last 100 years."

Riley has spent decades giving back to Spokane track, currently serving as head cross country coach at Saint George's and an assistant track coach. He stands among the greatest distance runners the state has ever produced, a Mt. Rushmore caliber athlete in Washington prep track history.

Carson's Historic Sprinting Excellence

Becca Noble Carson blazed her own path to immortality at the Pasco Invite, setting the meet record in the 400 meters with a time of 54.14 in 2005. The Rogers High School sprinter captured state titles in both the 400 and 800 that year, and anchored Rogers' state-winning 4x400 relay a year earlier.

Carson's excellence extended far beyond Spokane. Following her high school career, she won the 800 at the USA Junior Championships in the summer of 2005. At the University of Oregon, she became a four-time All-American, including an outdoor national championship in the 800 during her freshman year. Most impressively, Carson earned a bronze medal at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing with a time of 2:04.72, securing Team USA's first medal in the women's 800 at that competition.

Now living in White Salmon, Washington, Carson joined her parents at Saturday's induction ceremony to celebrate her contributions to Washington prep track and field. Both Riley and Carson represent the elite legacy of Spokane athletics that continues to inspire the next generation of Bulldog runners.

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