Fast Track to Rio: Hellas’ epiQ Tracks® Provides Top-Notch Surface for the Olympians on the Road to Rio

  AUSTIN, TX - 08/02/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

As of May 25, Prairie View A&M University is home to one of the finest track and field facilities in North America.  One of the few IAAF constructed facilities, PVAMU, home of the Panthers, is fully equipped with an epiQ Tracks Z5000 running track surface and brand new field events areas.  The new track and field events construction is not only a huge improvement for the city of Prairie View, TX, and the school’s student-athletes, but the high-quality running track is also an exciting addition for USA Track & Field Olympic Athletes, who practiced at the facility on Friday, July 29.

The $3.72 M facility construction includes bleachers with a covered awning for spectator shade and comfort, and an 8-lane, 11,000 sq. ft. epiQ Tracks Z5000 running track surface.  As the best, eco-friendly running track surface available on the market, the Z5000 offers cushion, control, energy return, and performance that is perfect for major, high-traffic stadiums and arenas.  The project also includes the construction of field event areas for javelin, high jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw, steeplechase, and more. 

“Prairie View A&M is the finest track facility that I have ever walked on,” said Jim Loerwald, Hellas Construction Business Development Manager.

As a well-performing and high-quality facility, it is no surprise that America’s best athletes would flock to test the newly installed running track surface to prepare for the 2016 Olympics.  Promptly at 9 a.m. on July 29, Olympic-bound US track and field athletes took to the track and field surfaces to begin their first of several practices at Prairie View A&M University for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Morolake Akinosun, former University of Texas athlete, Justin Gatlin, 2012 London Olympic gold and bronze medalist, and Jenna Prandini, former University of Oregon athlete, were among the members of the 2016 USATF Olympic team to utilize Prairie View’s top-notch track and field facilities.  “Prairie View is awesome.  The track is cool, all of the facilities are actually really new, so it gets the job done,” said Prandini, 2015 National 200 Meter Champion. 

The Panthers will begin the 2016-2017 season on the new epiQ Tracks surface at the end of August.  “Everyone is very excited about the new surface, how it looks, how it feels, what it can do. A good surface is necessary for cutting down on injuries, running fast, and it looks like it’s going to provide all of those things,” said Angela Williams, Prairie View A&M’s head women’s track and field coach and former Olympian.

About Hellas Construction Headquartered in Austin, TX, Hellas Construction, Inc. is one of the largest sports construction contractors in the United States. While specializing in the general construction of sports facilities and synthetic surfaces, Hellas also champions innovative artificial turf manufacturing, base construction, field, track and tennis planning, installation and maintenance. To learn more about Hellas Construction, visit hellasconstruction.com.

About Prairie View A&M University Prairie View A&M University is a university located in Prairie View, Texas and a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU is also a charter member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and competes in NCAA Division I in 16 varsity sports teams. For more information, please visit www.pvamu.edu.