Florida Debuts Elite Track, Fusing Tech, Legacy, and Performance

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – April 16, 2026 – As the track and field world descends on Gainesville for the annual Tom Jones Memorial Invitational this weekend, the usual buzz of anticipation is amplified. While Olympic and World Champions prepare to compete alongside the nation's top collegiate talent, all eyes are on the ground beneath their feet. The Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium is set to debut its brand-new, state-of-the-art Mondo Super X 720 surface, a high-performance marvel that represents a significant investment in athletic excellence and a powerful tribute to a storied past.

The installation, completed in 2025 by TenCate Track Solutions, replaces a previous Mondo surface from 2018 and signals the University of Florida’s unwavering commitment to providing its athletes with a world-class environment. This weekend's prestigious meet will be the first major test for a track engineered for breaking records.

The Science of Speed and Safety

The Mondo Super X 720 is not merely a running surface; it is a finely tuned piece of sports technology. Unlike traditional poured-in-place tracks that can have inconsistencies, the Super X 720 is prefabricated in a controlled factory environment. This process ensures uniform thickness, density, and dynamic response across every inch of the track, giving athletes a predictable and reliable surface for pacing and performance.

At its core is an innovative two-layer vulcanized rubber system. The top layer provides exceptional grip, elasticity, and spike resistance, while the patented hexagonal air-cell backing is the engine of its performance. This lower layer deforms in three dimensions upon impact, absorbing shock, reducing athlete fatigue, and minimizing the risk of stress-related injuries. Crucially, it then returns that stored energy to the athlete, creating a biomechanical advantage that can translate to longer strides and faster times. It is this combination of optimal energy return and shock absorption that has made Mondo tracks the surface of choice for numerous Olympic Games and World Championships.

The surface is World Athletics certified, meeting the stringent technical requirements for elite international competition. Furthermore, its construction incorporates recycled and rapidly renewable materials, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainability within sports infrastructure.

A Strategic Investment in Excellence

The installation of the new track is a centerpiece of a broader, more ambitious vision at the University of Florida. The project was part of a $4.1 million renovation of James G. Pressly Stadium, funded entirely by private gifts. This investment underscores a key component of the university's strategy to maintain its position as a top-five athletic department in the nation: providing facilities that are second to none.

Such upgrades are critical in the hyper-competitive landscape of collegiate sports, serving as a powerful tool for recruiting and developing elite athletes. For a program as decorated as Florida's, having a track that can help athletes achieve personal bests and train safely is a non-negotiable advantage.

The partnership extends beyond the physical track. TenCate Track Solutions, the track division of the global surfaces company, has also made a multi-year commitment to support the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational as a sponsor through 2029. This long-term collaboration signifies a deeper investment in the sport and the university, moving beyond a simple vendor-client relationship to a foundational partnership.

"We are incredibly proud to partner with the University of Florida to deliver a world-class surface at Percy Beard Track," said Jim Stalford, President of TenCate Track Solutions. "This facility reflects the highest standards of performance and safety, and we are thrilled to support the outstanding athletes competing at this year's Tom Jones Memorial Invitational."

Honoring a Legacy on a World-Class Stage

For the University of Florida community, the new track is about more than just speed and recruitment; it is about honoring a profound legacy. The invitational was established in 2008 to commemorate the late Tom Jones, who served as the Gators' head coach for women's track and field from 1993 to 2007. During his tenure, Jones led the program to three SEC titles and became one of the most respected and beloved coaches in the sport.

The annual meet stands as a tribute to his impact, and the facility upgrade is seen as a continuation of the standard of excellence he inspired. This sentiment was echoed by university officials.

"We're thrilled to showcase the new Mondo Super X 720 track here at Percy Beard Track," stated Bill Smith, Athletic Director for Facilities at the University of Florida. "GeoSurfaces delivered an exceptional installation that gives our athletes a truly elite surface. This upgraded facility ensures that Coach Jones's legacy is honored with the standard of excellence he inspired."

As athletes take their marks on April 17 and 18, they will be competing on a surface engineered for the future, at an event that celebrates the foundations of the past. The 2026 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational promises to be a convergence of technology, tradition, and elite performance, setting a new standard for what is possible at Percy Beard Track and serving as a fitting tribute to the coach who inspired it all.