June 15, 2004

OXFORD, Ohio - Brian Godsey (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East), an alumnus of the Miami University men's cross country and track & field teams, broke the world record in the backwards 800m, Tuesday evening, at George L. Rider Track on the campus of Miami University. Godsey completed the distance in 2:50.45, topping the previous standard of 2:57.35, held by Stefano Morselli of Italy.

A small crowd of former teammates, school officials and local members of the media turned out in the rain to watch Godsey attempt the feat. He did not disappoint, posting splits of 40 seconds at 200 meters, 1:24 at 400 meters and 2:06 at 600 meters on his way to a final time of 2:50.45. For authentication, Director of Athletics, Brad Bates, and head men's and women's track & field coaches Warren Mandrell and Rich Ceronie were among the spectators that served as official witnesses.

A four-year letterwinner in both track and cross country, Godsey graduated in December with a degree in mathematics, and is currently attending graduate school at Miami. In the fall, he helped the cross country team to a 14th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, while earning all-region and first-team all-MAC honors along the way.

Morselli had previously set the mark on Nov. 25, 1995, in Castelnovo Monti, Italy, and still holds backwards records for 400, 2000, 2500, 3000 and 5000 meters.

Godsey is one of three Americans to hold backwards running records, joining Ronal Provenzano (half mile) and Bud Badyna (5000 and marathon). He is also the first to set a backwards record in the state of Ohio since Badyna set his marathon mark in Toledo on April 24, 1994.