Godsey, 23, put his best foot backward Tuesday to break the 800-meter world record in 2:50.45 at George L. Rider Track. The Miami University graduate finished the two-lap run nearly seven seconds ahead of Italy's Stefano Morselli, who set the record (2:57.35) in 1995,thus earning a place in the Book of Alternative Records.

"Every time I've told people I wanted to break the world record, they've said, 'That's so cool,' " Godsey said. "It's such a novelty."

Warren Mandrell, Miami's ninth-year men's track and cross country coach, never knew backward - or retro - running records existed. "We were joking about (backward running) at practice this spring, and he took off and ran a quarter backward. I was like, 'Gee, that was pretty fast!' and he said, 'We need to find out what the records for it are,' " Mandrell said.

The timing couldn't have been better for the four-year track and cross country letter-winner. Godsey led the cross country team to 14th place in the NCAA Championships last fall but fell out of his routine after graduating from Miami in December with a mathematics degree. He wanted to ease back into running "the fun way," by training backward.

Godsey runs about 30 miles a week, of which 6 to 8 are backward. Running backward isn't much different than going forward, Godsey said. He uses different quad muscles in reverse and is constantly looking over his shoulder for navigation, but he runs on his toes going both ways.

A former Lakota East state champion in track and cross country, Godsey said his best time in a forward 800 is 1:59. On June 10, Godsey clocked himself at retro 2:56.7 and decided he was ready to go for the gold. Mandrell and women's track and cross country coach Richard Ceronie served as the official witnesses and timekeepers of the event.

Godsey chatted with 20 fans, coaches and well-wishers amid pounding rain before attempting Tuesday's record. "Hey, Brian! Are you going to use the starting blocks?" Mandrell teased.

"I got down in them one day, but I couldn't figure out how to come back up," Godsey said.

He crossed the finish line with his right arm in the air, pointer finger raised. Beating the record was great, he said; shattering it by nearly seven seconds was "icing on the cake."

"I thought he was crazy. I thought he was kidding," Ceronie said of his initial reaction to Godsey's decision. "I saw him out there in practice running backward. Runners will run backward as a way of loosening their legs up, but I didn't think he was serious about it."

Ceronie said it isn't the most unusual thing he has heard of: The 20th-year Miami coach had a runner in his first coaching year who toted the Guinness Book of World Records to prove he owned the record for backward men's 110-meter hurdles.

Godsey, now a Miami graduate student, left this week for Italy, where he'll stay for seven weeks to earn course credit. While there, he plans to run in the 3,000-meter retro road-course Italian Championships on July 3. Morselli, who still owns five retro world records, will be among his competitors.

"It's kind of cool," Godsey said. "If he doesn't look to busy, maybe I'll go try to meet him."

Kyle House / Bright, Ind.

Six-foot Kyle House has been offered this advice countless times: "You should play basketball." But House, 15, would rather spend his free time in a swimming pool. The future East Central freshman left a legacy at Sunman-Dearborn Middle School, where he owns or shares 13 school records and 12 pool records. He also holds five records for the East Central Swim Team, a club team. In March he competed in the USA Indiana State Age Group Swimming Meet in Indianapolis, placing second in the 100-free (49.30), fourth in the 100-fly (56.29), eighth in the 200-free (1:51.89) and ninth in the 100-back (58.63). He placed first in the 50-free but was disqualified after officials said he swiveled his right heel at the start.

"It was very disappointing, but also very motivating," House said.

He hasn't swum the event yet in club season, but hopes to avenge the defeat with a little help from a sprinters' camp at Kenyon College June 20.

Erin Mullen/ Blue Ash

Erin Mullen started playing baseball at age 4, and there was no way she wanted to give it up now that she's 19. The Sycamore grad and Belmont University softball player was one of 18 women chosen to play on the inaugural USA Baseball Women's National Team. The team plays in the Women's World Series in Japan, July 18-21, and the IBAF Women's World Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, July 30-Aug. 3. Mullen made the team as a pitcher and an outfielder, but she's relishing the chance to return to overhand throwing. Mullen played baseball for the Aves through her freshman year of high school before transitioning to fast-pitch softball.

"I started out playing baseball and I really liked playing with the guys. I loved pitching," said Mullen, who throws a potent curveball.

The national invite comes at the heels of Belmont's season, where Mullen played in all 51 games, batted .272 and tied a team-first mark in doubles (11).All Thumbs

Thumbs up

1. The Detroit Pistons. What a shocker. Too bad all the post-championship talk was about the loser Lakers. (Think that team thing might catch on in the NBA? Nahhhh.)

2. Ken Griffey Jr. It's great to see that after four tumultuous seasons in Cincinnati he and the fans have learned to love one another. The huge crowds for the Rangers series gave him a standing O every time he came to bat, and he seemed truly touched.

3. Northern Kentucky University sports. The powerhouse Norse program was ranked No. 10 in Division II ij the United States Sports Academy Director's Cup standings. Another reason not to go D-1.

4. Area auto racing fans. They keep making a statement by selling out the Busch race at Kentucky Speedway. A Nextel Cup race may not be on the way, but it's not because of a lack of fan base.

Thumbs down

1. Wimbledon. The withdrawal of Andre Agassi was a big hit for what already was a so-so men's field. Here's hoping for a deep run by Andy Roddick and his 154 mph serves.

2. Kobe Bryant. You can stop firing up ill-advised shots, the series is over.

3. Barry Bonds. In a rare extensive interview, the Giants superstar told a Boston reporter that the town was "too racist for me" and that he would "never play there." Couldn't he have just talked about the absolutely incredible season he's having?

4. Colorado. The university has lost nearly 14 percent of last season's football season ticket holders in the wake of a recruiting scandal that included allegations of rape.

Say what?

"I don't even smoke. But I just felt like Red Auerbach, so I grabbed a cigar and I threw it in my mouth."

Detroit general manager Joe Dumars after the Pistons won the NBA championship Tuesday

Online Poll Question:

Whom should the Reds play at third base?

A: Brandon Larson

B: Tim Hummel

C: Juan Castro

D: Ryan Freel

E: Any of the above is fine.

F: They should make a trade for a third baseman.

Go to Cincinnati.Com, Keyword: Sports poll, to vote; results will be published next Sunday on this page.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: Do you follow the progress of the Reds' minor-league teams and players?

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

A: Yes. I go out of my way to find information on them. 35 percent

B: Somewhat. If I come across information on them, I pay attention to it. 39 percent

C: Not really. I know a few names of Triple-A players, but that's about it. 9 percent

D: No, not at all. 17 percent

---

E-mail srussell@enquirer.com