MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The eight-year-old polyurethane outdoor track at Saddleback College's Saddleback Stadium had deteriorated, and school officials wanted a replacement that would stand the test of time and provide athletes with the best surface possible. Their unanimous decision was Mondo's Super X Performance track.
"We immediately chose Mondo based on having competed on Mondo tracks at other facilities, and knowing firsthand the top performances we got," said Mark Blethen, Saddleback College's track and field head coach.
Saddleback student-athletes began using the new eight-lane track in mid-March, and the venue reopened for public and community use on July 20, after other stadium improvements were completed. "Our athletes immediately noticed a difference on the Mondo track," Blethen said. "Because of the track's responsiveness, they didn't have to push as hard to see results, it was faster under their feet, and they haven't experienced the lower extremity injuries we had previously seen."
The track's durability was another reason Saddleback College chose Mondo. "The Mondo track's long life span really appealed to us, and we knew it would perform well for quite some time," Blethen said. "Mondo has a reputation for having great products; the Super X track almost sold itself."
With the addition of the new track, Saddleback College is planning to increase the visibility of its athletic programs among California community colleges. In May 2010, Saddleback will host the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California regional track and field championship. "We're really looking forward to the competition," Blethen said. "We feel that if you want to host a big meet, you have to have Mondo, because that's what everyone wants to run on."
The world's top track for more than 30 years, Mondo Super X Performance has been installed at more than 1,100 venues globally. Recognized as the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest track available, it was used in the eight Olympic Games prior to 2008. (Mondo's newest track surface, Mondotrack, was the official track of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.) Super X Performance was developed to maintain its initial physical properties throughout its life, so it provides consistent performance.
The track's 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.
About Saddleback College
Saddleback College, located in Orange County, Calif., enrolls 9,000 full-time and 16,000 part-time and evening students. The 2009-10 school year will mark the school's 42nd year of intercollegiate athletics, and Saddleback has enjoyed one of the most successful athletic heritages in California Community College history, winning at least one conference title each year.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports flooring market, manufacturing floor surfaces for virtually every sport. Throughout its 60-year history, the company has invested heavily in research and development to produce cutting-edge products that meet the highest quality standards, deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe.
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, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations, including Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, FIBA, IAAF, National Soccer Coaches Association of America, 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 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.mondousa.com.
Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.
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