Yellow halogen lights pierced the cold October night, illuminating the object of desire for two groups of duct tape-clad women.

The event was Women’s Tugs, and this night, Sigma Kappa sorority would walk away with the first place trophy after a near-record 62-minute, 50 second tug of war-style match against challenger Sigma Alpha Sigma sorority.

Thunderous music radiated from two speakers and was equaled only by cheers from the crowd as Sigma Kappa tuggers, covered in dirt, sweat and tears claimed victory.

“We worked so hard for the win,” said Alina Petre, a junior marketing major and Sigma Kappa tugger. “Everyone saw that tonight.”

The annual competition, hosted by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, took place Friday and Saturday and drew about 1,000 people, said Tom Tucker, senior management major and Pi Kappa Alpha president.

Although they took the second place trophy, Sigma Alpha Sigma remained optimistic for the future.

“I’m proud of how we did,” said Sarah Robertson, a senior Spanish education major and Sigma Alpha Sigma tugger and social chair. “We tugged our hearts out.”

Preparation for the event began about four to five weeks ago, said Dan Bazigos, a junior finance major and philanthropy chair for Pi Kappa Alpha.

Bazigos talked with local businesses for sponsorship, rented bleachers and dug the trenches to get ready for the competition, he said.

Tuggers also trained mercilessly prior to the competition.

“We had long practices, sometimes at six in the morning,” said Allison Klein, a senior physical education major and Sigma Kappa president. “We also had two to three-hour practices at night. It was worth it in the end, though.”

Tugs also serves to portray the Greek community in a positive light.

“Tugs is a good opportunity for the rest of campus to see that philanthropy is one of the core values of the Greek community,” said Patrick Reichel, a junior athletic training major and Interfraternity Council president.

Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority took third place, Alpha Phi sorority took fourth and Delta Zeta sorority took fifth place.