DES MOINES, Iowa, June 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hot on the heels of the 102nd running of the Drake Relays, where 14 meet records were broken, Drake University is set to host the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, today through Saturday. The event will draw more than 1,100 athletes from 200 colleges and universities throughout the country. As they strive for top times, competitors will have the distinct advantage of a Mondo Super X Performance track underfoot.
Made by Mondo, the global leader in the sport flooring market, the Super X Performance track is recognized around the world as one of the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest tracks available. Drake University officials have high hopes that the eight-lane, 48-inch Mondo track, will facilitate record-breaking times during the NCAA outdoor championships.
The Mondo Super X Performance track was installed at Drake Stadium's Jim Duncan Track in 2006, and the facility previously hosted the national championship meet in 2008.
"Drake University is again honored to host the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships," said Carolyn Hill, Drake's assistant director of Relays and sports information. "Drake Stadium and the Mondo Super X Performance surface at Jim Duncan Track has become known as a venue for superior performances. We look forward to seeing some fast times at this NCAA championship."
Mondo tracks, renowned for their superior performance, have been used for numerous NCAA Division I, II and III championship meets and other high-profile track competitions. In addition to Drake University, the Mondo tracks at Texas A&M, University of Arkansas, North Carolina A&T State University, Johnson C. Smith University and Baldwin-Wallace College have hosted prestigious championships. More than 230 world records have been set on Mondo tracks, including five at the 2008 Olympics.
"Mondo is proud to provide the track for the 2011 NCAA national championships, and to have provided the tracks for hundreds of record-setting performances over the years," said Federico Stroppiana, president of Mondo North and South America. "Mondo is dedicated to innovation, and to developing the fastest tracks in the world. Our extensive research and development ensures extremely durable surfaces that are ideal for training as well as competition."
Mondo's Super X Performance track has been installed at more than 1,100 venues globally and was used in the eight Olympic Games prior to Beijing. (Mondo's newest track surface, Mondotrack, was the official track of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and will be the track of the 2012 London Olympics.)
Super X Performance was developed to maintain its initial physical properties throughout its life, so it provides consistent performance. The vulcanized natural rubber surface provides maximum elasticity and unparalleled durability, and its embossed, textured finish makes it extremely easy to maintain with no resurfacing required. This high-performance track is renowned for its shock absorption and optimal energy return, and its ideal blend of speed and comfort minimizes the occurrence of injuries during both training and high-level competition.
About Drake University
Founded in 1881, Drake University is home to approximately 5,600 undergraduate and graduate students. It is ranked among the top universities for educational quality, student achievement and educational value. Drake athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and the Pioneer Football League.
The campus is home to Drake Stadium, a 14,557-seat venue that hosts several major annual events each year, including the Drake Relays and the Iowa high school boys and girls state track championships. Among the track and field legends who have competed at the stadium are Bruce Jenner, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Ralph Metcalfe, Al Oerter, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Frank Shorter, Gwen Torrence and Jeremy Wariner.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports and contract flooring markets, manufacturing flooring surfaces for virtually every application. More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations.
The company supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring, and it 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 Mondo Marine division.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company's global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondoworldwide.com.
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Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.