TEMPE, Ariz., April 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Six meet records were set on Mondotrack at the 29th annual Sun Angel Track Classic held last weekend at Arizona State University. Mondotrack is the same surface that will be used at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The following meet records were set:
-- Men's 400-meter dash - Jordan Boase, Washington, 44.82
-- Men's 1,500-meter run - Lopez Lomong, Nike, 3:39.50
-- Women's 200-meter dash - Kerron Stewart, Nike, 22.35
-- Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase - Danelle Woods, Illinois,
10:22.36
-- Women's 5,000-meter run - Amy Hastings, adidas, 16:00.78
-- Women's pole vault - Kelsie Hendry, Riversdale Athletics Club,
4.31 meters
Additionally, in the men's high jump, Jeff Skiba (unattached), an amputee, cleared the bar at 2.11 meters, which is higher than any amputee in the world has jumped. Skiba holds the Paralympic world record of 2.10 meters. (His mark at the Sun Angel Track Classic is not a new world record because the event isn't an officially sanctioned Paralympic event.)
ASU installed Mondotrack on its track, high jump and pole vault lanes earlier this year, making Joe Selleh Track at Sun Angel Stadium the first U.S. facility with a Mondotrack surface. The Sun Angel Track Classic was the first major meet to be held at the venue since then.
Developed by Mondo, a global leader in the sports flooring market, Mondotrack is a highly advanced surface designed to provide optimal traction and a greater contact area than other tracks. It takes the maximum amount of force generated by athletes' foot strikes and converts it to energy for maximum energy return, which helps athletes achieve faster times than when running on other surfaces. Mondotrack also provides excellent athletic comfort and maximum safety.
Recognized around the world as the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest tracks available, Mondo tracks are installed at more than 1,100 venues globally. Mondo tracks have been used in the past eight Olympic Games, and the company is the official supplier to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing for athletic tracks. Mondo also was a sponsor of the Sun Angel Track Classic.
Nearly 230 world records and countless national and personal bests have been set on Mondo tracks.
"The records set at the Sun Angel Track Classic are a testament to the performance capabilities of the new Mondotrack and Mondo's dedication to developing a track that lets athletes run their fastest," said Federico Stroppiana, president of Mondo North and South America. "Our extensive research produced a cutting-edge product that takes the world-renowned performance of our acclaimed Super X Performance track to the next level."
Home to the 2007 NCAA Women's Indoor and Outdoor Champions, Sun Angel Stadium opened for competition in 1976. In May, it will host the Pac-10 Championships for the fourth time. (It previously hosted the 1979, 1991 and 1999 meets.) In all, Sun Angel Stadium has been the home venue for 21 Olympians and seven medalists (five gold, one silver and one bronze), including recent gold medalists Dwight Phillips (2004, long jump) and Nick Hysong (2000, pole vault). It also has been the training home for winners of 30 NCAA championships, including 27 individual titles and three relay crowns.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports flooring market, manufacturing floor surfaces for virtually every sport. The official supplier of the athletic track and basketball and handball courts of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations, including FIBA, IAAF, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, NIRSA, U.S. Track Coaches Association and YMCA.
The company also supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring and is the world's largest producer of sports and toy balls with an average daily production of 450,000 units. In addition, it manufactures large luxury yachts under its Mondomarine division.
Mondo invests heavily in research and development to ensure its products meet the highest quality standards in the industry, deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo's global headquarters are in Italy. The company has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia and sells its products in more than 196 countries. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondousa.com.
The Mondo logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3747
Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.