Ohio Expands Team Tressel Fitness Challenge to 3rd-8th Graders for 2026

Ohio's Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, spearheaded by Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, is reopening sign-ups for its winter session beginning February 2, 2026, now expanding participation to students in grades three through eight. The program, which emphasizes fitness, nutrition, rest, and mindfulness, has engaged over 183,000 students in its first round, with a goal to nearly double participation in the upcoming challenge. Updates to the curriculum, based on school feedback, include grade-specific workbooks to help students personalize their health goals and build on progress through various achievement levels. Former Ohio State Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr. serves as the challenge captain, actively promoting the initiative and witnessing its positive impact on children, schools, and families across Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel both underscore the importance of fostering healthy habits early to improve long-term well-being for Ohio's youth. The flexible program allows schools to integrate activities into classrooms or encourage independent participation to cultivate a statewide movement toward becoming the healthiest state in America.