Kenyon athletes and teachers from Wiggin Street Elementary demonstrate balance during a recent assembly promoting the state's fitness challenge.
Kenyon student-athletes know a thing or two about maintaining balance in their lives, but during a recent assembly at Wiggin Street Elementary in Gambier, things got pretty literal.
That’s when Gabriel Romanenko ‘28 and other athletes from the College found themselves — along with some elementary school teachers — standing precariously on one foot in the school gymnasium while a crowd of young students thunderously counted down the seconds as they tried to hold the pose.
Leading it all from the sideline, pacing back and forth in scarlet sneakers and his trademark vest, was Jim Tressel, who gained fame leading the Ohio State University football team to a national championship in 2002 and now serves as lieutenant governor of Ohio.
Tressel was in town Thursday to promote the state’s 90-day fitness challenge for students in grades 4-8. In the process, he commended a unique partnership in which Kenyon athletes help the kids with the challenge every week, working on everything from sport-specific skills to improved focus to — during the assembly, at least — balance.
“These are some of the best students in the world, not just in the country,” Tressel said. “And for them to take the time to be a part of our fitness challenge, we‘re so honored.”
Beginning in September, members of seven Kenyon teams have taken turns every Wednesday leading workouts, drills and games with dozens of students at Wiggin Street for 20 minutes before classes start. So far, athletes have come from men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s tennis and men’s golf. Members of the football team participated in last week’s assembly as well.
While more than 700 schools across the state are taking part in what’s known as the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, state officials believe this is the only one where there is a recurring partnership with college athletes.
Kenyon students who have helped lead sessions — like Romanenko, a member of the men’s soccer team — say the experience has been enjoyable and enriching, both for them and their younger counterparts.
