Refueling and staying fit has become second nature to the superstar athletes at Cheney Middle School. The National Milk Mustache "got milk?(R)" campaign announced today that Cheney Storm Soccer Club has earned the title of Body By Milk MVP (Milk's Valued Players). The team was nominated to be part of the first-ever nationwide Refuel Your School contest which rewards high school athletic teams that choose chocolate milk to refuel and rehydrate after that big game, practice or workout.

Cheney Body By Milk MVPs

Storm player, Erik Krumm, submitted a photo to the Refuel Your School contest showcasing how his team refuels with chocolate milk. The photo scored the Storm soccer club a place as one of 25 teams nationwide to be named a Body By Milk MVP (Milk's Valued Players) by got milk?(R) and the School Nutrition Association.

"There's no substitute for milk," said Storm coach Dan Lamphere, "I encourage my players to eat and drink nutritious foods -- and I always include chocolate milk as part of their recovery routine to stay hydrated and to build strong muscles."

In recognition of the Body By Milk MVPs at Cheney Middle School, the got milk?(R) campaign will make a cross-country trek to Cheney on Wednesday, October 29 to host a celebratory Refuel Rally and present the team with $1,000 from adidas(R) for new equipment and more.

Chocolate Milk Steps Up To the Plate

Scientists have evaluated chocolate milk as a post-exercise drink and have identified several reasons why it may be an effective recovery aid: chocolate milk contains a combination of carbohydrates and protein to help replenish exhausted muscles after exercise, and it provides fluids to assist with rehydration, and it contains "electrolytes" such as potassium and other minerals like calcium that are lost in sweat.

Milk contains nine essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone strength, and high-quality protein that helps build muscle when combined with exercise. Three 8-ounce glasses of lowfat or fat free milk are recommended each day, which provides about half of the protein teenagers need each day.

Go Pro For A Day!

In conjunction with the Refuel Your School contest, the Body By Milk(R) campaign is offering up the VIP experience of a lifetime through the Go Pro For A Day sweepstakes. From September through November of this year, three teens will receive a trip for two for a once-in-a-lifetime sports experience where they can live a day in the life of sports superstars Dwight Howard, Jozy Altidore or Ana Ivanovic. Fifty second place winners will receive a $250 adidas(R) gift card. Log onto today for a chance to go pro.

Dwight Howard's Latest Slam Dunk

On and off the court, Orlando Magic star forward, Dwight Howard is committed to staying fit. As a leading NBA star, Howard undergoes intense workouts and has a rigorous schedule but still gets the unique mix of key nutrients he needs to refuel by drinking chocolate milk after practice.

To kick off the 25-city tour, Howard and the got milk?(R) campaign hosted an honorary pep rally at Howard's alma mater, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy to give students the first look at his new Milk Mustache ad.

The caption reads, "Need a strong rebound? Slam some milk. It's a great choice after exercise, with protein to help build muscle and a unique mix of nutrients to refuel. So train hard and drink lowfat or fat free milk. It's got game."

Howard joins tennis pro Ana Ivanovic and soccer star Jozy Altidore as the latest celebs to join the "Body By Milk(R)" campaign, created to encourage teens to drink 3 glasses of lowfat or fat free milk everyday, be active and eat right to stay lean and healthy.

Body By Milk(R) is part of the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign, a multi-faceted education program focused on the health benefits of milk. The campaign is managed by the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) in Washington, D.C., which is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The tagline "got milk?"(R) was created for the California Milk Processor Board by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and is licensed by the national milk processor and dairy producer groups.