In Thursday’s Tugs matches, Phi Kappa Psi defeated Phi Sigma Kappa, getting revenge after losing to them in each of the last three tournaments. Later in the day, Delta Chi upset Sigma Nu, spoiling their chance at a five-peat. 

With the wins, the stage is set for a Phi Kappa Psi vs. Delta Chi championship match on Saturday. 

REVENGE FOR PHI KAPPA PSI 

Phi Kappa Psi dominated the first rope, immediately taking a foot advantage over Phi Sigma Kappa and not looking back, adding another foot to their advantage after three minutes. 

The knot entered Phi Kappa Psi’s first trench after nine minutes, with Phi Sigma Kappa conceding the first rope after 16 minutes. 

“We (Phi Kappa Psi) did great today,” said Phi Kappa Psi first rope caller and junior journalism major Adrien De La Peña. “Our guys stayed in it mentally and overall that’s what matters for us.”

Phi Sigma Kappa took an early advantage in the second rope and held their ground after that, with the knot crossing their first trench shortly after at the 10 minute mark. The opposite of the first rope, Phi Sigma Kappa dominated the second rope, taking a win in 16 minutes. 

The third rope started in a deadlock before Phi Kappa Psi took a slight advantage. Despite Phi Sigma Kappa continuing to fight, Phi Kappa Psi’s first trench had the knot after 13 minutes.

Phi Kappa Psi struck a high hit during the 14th minute, hurting Phi Sigma Kappa and eventually forcing them to concede following the 15th minute. 

“It (the win) feels great,” De La Peña said. “We’ve lost to Phi Sig the past three years and it definitely makes it sweeter for our seniors to get that win.”

DOWN GO THE CHAMPIONS 

The first rope between Sigma Nu and Delta Chi was even for the first seven minutes, with Sigma Nu holding a slight advantage. Delta Chi flipped the switch, bringing the knot to the middle after 10 minutes before taking the advantage 12 minutes in. 

Sigma Nu gained some rope off a high hit but was unable to bring it all the way back. Delta Chi continued to hold their advantage, nearly getting the knot to their first trench before winning by advantage after the 20-minute time limit was fulfilled. 

“It didn’t come easy, but our guys stuck together,” said Kris Stricker, first-year business administration major and Delta Chi’s fourth-trench tugger. “We went in there, we gave it all we had. We had the mentality to die on that rope, and that’s what we did and we got the victory.” 

Sigma Nu started the second rope with a hang, before Delta Chi responded by taking a slight advantage at the five-minute mark. Gaining two feet in minutes, Sigma Nu took the advantage after six minutes. The knot neared Sigma Nu’s first trench around 15 minutes in, and was enough to give them the win at time. 

Rope 3 kicked off with a slight advantage for Delta Chi, before the knot quickly returned to the center. Delta Chi regained their advantage after five minutes, taking a foot advantage over Sigma Nu after nine minutes. 

The knot was close to Delta Chi’s first trench after 10 minutes, and was taken into the trench just four minutes later. 

Delta Chi pulled away around 16 minutes in, forcing Sigma Nu to concede prior to the 17-minute mark, completing the upset and punching their ticket to the championship match on Saturday. 

“We’re (Delta Chi) feeling great,” said Delta Chi’s first rope caller and junior marketing major Giovanni Hernandez. “It’s always good to knock off four-time champions, no five-peat this year. We’re going for our first trophy in program history, so obviously, it feels amazing.” 

The 2025 Men’s Tugs championship match will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday at 912 Edgebrook Dr, featuring Phi Kappa Psi and Delta Chi.