NANKIN — Mapleton Elementary students got their morning workout in Thursday with a little help from Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel.
The former Ohio State football coach visited Mapleton to introduce students to the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. The statewide program encourages Ohio students to set personal goals and take steps toward healthier lives.
With help from Ohio State and Ashland University student-athletes, Ohio State Highway Patrol representatives and local officials, students participated in exercise demonstrations and learned how fitness goes further than working out.
“We want every Ohioan to reach their God-given potential,” Tressel told students. “And we know that if we’re healthier, we’ll be better students, we’ll be better friends, we’ll be better siblings and we’ll have a chance to keep reaching toward those dreams and goals that we’ve set for ourselves.”
A former Ohio State, NFL and Canadian Football League receiver, DeVier Posey is one of seven challenge captains helping lead the program’s statewide network of 137 athlete mentors. The mentors visit schools and encourage students as they work toward their fitness goals.
The challenge encourages students to build healthy habits at their own pace. Students can choose activities they enjoy and track their progress as they work toward bronze, silver and gold medals.
Tressel said the program was designed for students of all abilities and fitness levels, whether they are just beginning to exercise or already lead active lives.
“The governor made clear to us that he wanted this challenge to be good for everyone,” Tressel said.
Building healthy habits outside the gym
Students also learn about balance, nutrition, sleep and mental well-being.
During the assembly, students practiced exercises with volunteers and joined in a dance demonstration. Tressel encouraged them to drink water, make nutritious food choices, get enough sleep and take time to think about what they are grateful for.
The challenge helps students recognize how everyday habits can affect their health, relationships and ability to reach their goals.
“When you work out and eat right and sleep right, you feel better,” Tressel said. “And when you feel better, you’re nicer, you’re a better friend, you’re a better student.”
Students received apples at the end of the assembly for National Apple Crunch Day. The Ohio Department of Agriculture attended the event to remind kids the importance of eating healthy.
The growing statewide challenge
Tressel said about 655,200 students at 2,194 schools were participating in the challenge’s third round. About 190,000 students took part in the first round in fall 2025.
Participation grew to about 385,000 students during the second round in winter and spring.
Tressel’s team has continued receiving feedback from schools to improve the program. He said they are considering expanding participation to second graders, who currently are not included in the challenge.
The challenge will continue throughout the school year to give students time to practice the habits they learned about Thursday and work toward their healthy lifestyle.
Posey and the other mentors helped bring the challenge’s message to life: Students don’t have to work toward their goals alone.
See more photos from Team Tressel Fitness Challenge:
