It took almost 60 minutes of intense tugging in three rounds for Sigma Phi Epsilon to overcome the Tau Kappa Epsilon tuggers in the third Tugs match Monday.

But they did it, and hundreds of people were there to see it.

Throughout the day, NIU students, Greeks, community members and even dogs packed the stands to cheer on the tuggers who have been under an intense training schedule for several weeks.

Sig Ep President Craig Marcus said Monday’s crowd turnout is the best he has seen for a Monday in the three years he has been a part of it.

In the day’s two earlier matchups between Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Pi and Delta Chi, it took less than 20 minutes combined for the Pikes and Sig Pis to out-tug their opponents. The first rope for the Pikes took the match in six minutes and the second rope in four minutes, and both ropes for Sig Pi won in four and a half minutes.

But the spectators at Monday’s third round were treated to almost a full hour of tugging from two teams who battled until the bitter end. The first round, won by the Sig Eps, went a little over the 20-minute limit because the rope’s knot was still in between the three stakes, the neutral zone. Despite the fact that the 20 minutes was up, a winner could not yet be determined.

“It has to be outside of the stakes to call it,” Marcus said, who kept track of time during the matches and called the winners.

Marcus said it was an excellent match, and while the situation seen between the Tekes and Sig Eps is not typical of the first round of Tugs, it is something to be expected for the finals.

At 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, the Sig Eps will tug against Phi Kappa Sigma, last year’s champion. Because there was an odd number of team’s in this year’s tournament, the Skulls had a bye for the first round.

Sig Pi will tug against the Pikes at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The final round will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. All matches are held at the Sig Ep house.