Carmelo Rios excelled for both the track and field and cross country teams at LBCC. Rios was a two-time (1979-80) state and Metropolitan Conference champion in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. He was also the Southern California champion in the 10,000 meters in 1979. In cross country, Rios won the conference and Southern California individual championship and went on to finish third at the state meet in 1979. Following LBCC, Rios transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo were he set school records in the steeplechase and 10,000 meters. He won NCAA championships in the steeplechase and 5,000 meters and was a two-time All-American in the steeplechase (1981 & 1983). Rios captured a silver medal at the 1983 Pan-American games and won the steeplechase at the 1983 World Championships in Finland.