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Spokane legends Becca (Noble) Carson, Rick Riley inducted into Pasco Invite Hall of Fame | Prep track
TL;DR
Rick Riley and Becca (Noble) Carson were inducted into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame during the event's 63rd meet. Riley's 2-mile record from 60 years ago remains unbeaten.
Key points
- Rick Riley and Becca (Noble) Carson inducted into Hall of Fame
- Induction occurred during the 63rd Pasco Invite meet
- Riley set the 2-mile record 60 years ago
- Record time was 8 minutes, 57.1 seconds
- Longest-standing meet record at Pasco Invite
Mentioned in this story
Edgar Brown Stadium
Rick RileyBecca (Noble) CarsonPasco Invite
Apr. 22âTwo giants in Spokane high school track and field were honored Saturday.
Legendary long-distance runner Rick Riley and sprinting sensation Becca (Noble) Carson were inducted into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame on Saturday during the event's 63rd meet at Edgar Brown Stadium.
It was a moment 60 years in the making for Riley.
Sixty years ago this spring, Riley, running at Ferris, set the 2-mile record at Pasco, winning in a converted time of 8 minutes, 57.1 seconds (the 2-mile time was 9:00.1). It has since been converted to a 3,200-meter time. Dozens of outstanding athletes have taken a run at the record, but it still stands.
It's the longest-standing meet record at the Pasco Invite.
Riley, the head cross country coach at Saint George's and assistant track coach, was on hand Saturday for the ceremony.
"I just remember it was a real even-paced, relaxed effort," Riley said. "I've jokingly said that if I had the tracks and the shoes the kids are using today, that record would last 100 years. It's amazing that it's stood this long."
Riley, now 78, stands among the best cross country and long-distance track athletes the state has ever produced. He went on to run at Washington State University.
Former Rogers standout Gerry Lindgren is usually considered the face of Spokane long-distance running. But Riley's mug would be on a Mt. Rushmore of long-distance standouts for sure.
Back in the day, Riley ran on mostly cinder tracks. He recalls the surface at Pasco was hardened clay.
He continues to hold the state-meet record (8:48.3).
Riley was humbled by the induction.
"It was a huge honor," he said. "I was very humbled by the presentation. To be honest it's a bit astonishing that a record like that would last this long because there have been a tremendous amount of good kids at that meet over the years. So if I didn't say I was pretty proud of it I would be too humble. It makes you pretty proud that that time is still relevant."
Carson was a model sprinter back when she blazed her way around the oval at Rogers. She set the meet record in the 400 (54.14) at the Pasco Invite in 2005.
Carson lives in White Salmon, Washington â a tiny town with no stoplight just across the Columbia River from Hood River. Her sprinting talents took her to the University of Oregon.
In 2005, she captured state titles in the 400 and 800. A year earlier, she anchored the state-winning 4x400 relay.
Following her high school career in the summer of 2005, Carson won the 800 at the USA Junior Championships. She was one of the top middle distance sprinters in the nation at the time.
She was a four-time All-American at Oregon including an outdoor national championship her freshman year in the 800.
In the summer of 2006, Carson earned a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, clocking 2:04.72 in the 800 and securing the United States' first medal in the women's 800 at the competition.
Q&A
Who are the latest inductees into the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame?
The latest inductees are legendary long-distance runner Rick Riley and sprinting sensation Becca (Noble) Carson.
What record did Rick Riley set at the Pasco Invite?
Rick Riley set the 2-mile record at Pasco with a converted time of 8 minutes, 57.1 seconds, which remains unbeaten.
How long has Rick Riley's record stood at the Pasco Invite?
Rick Riley's record has stood for 60 years, making it the longest-standing meet record at the Pasco Invite.
When was the Pasco Invite Hall of Fame induction ceremony held?
The induction ceremony was held on April 22 during the 63rd Pasco Invite meet at Edgar Brown Stadium.
