McCarty was a track and cross country SFCC runner from East Valley HS in Spokane. Dave was an outstanding distance runner on the track for Head Coach Mike Keller. In 1972, he won both the mile (4:14.7) and two mile (9:17.0) to help Spokane to second place in the WAACC Track and Field Championships. His best 1500 time was 3:55.0, and he ran the three-mile in 13:56.0. Dave went on to run track for Southern Methodist University before becoming a successful track and cross country coach at East Valley High School.