Pi Kappa Alpha had something to celebrate Friday when it reclaimed the Tugs championship title. The final match of the day was full of intensity as the Pikes tugged against Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The Pikes began the match with a strong lead when they took the knot in the first rope. The second rope became even more of a battle as the Sig Eps tried to re-establish their dominance by taking the rope as far back as their first trench. However, the Sig Eps’ valiant efforts could not stop the Pikes, who took the rope back to gain an advantage and the win.

Andrew Curzon, a first-year tugger for the Pikes, said the win was an important victory for their house.

“You can’t even really explain. It’s a combination of so many things,” he said. “We had a lot to prove. This is who we are and what we do … we’re tuggers.”

Juan Leal, a second-year tugger for the Sig Eps, was disappointed with the loss but still was proud to have made it to the finals.

“We made house history today,” Leal said. “I respect the Pikes for winning with class instead of jumping around like monkeys as any other classless house would do.”

The Pikes’ win brings the title back to a house that has dominated Tugs throughout the history of the event. Last year, the tradition of equating a Tugs win with the Pikes was broken when Phi Kappa Sigma took the championship title.

While one tradition was restored, another was broken this year. In past years, the final match for third place usually saw the Sig Eps tugging against Sigma Pi. This year, however, Sigma Pi tugged Phi Kappa Sigma for third place. The Skulls took the advantage in the first rope but were defeated by Sigma Pi, who won the second and third ropes.

Although the Sig Eps lost to the Pikes in the final match, they still were happy to win second place and were relieved they had spared themselves the agony of competing for third against Sigma Pi.

“Now Sig Pis can’t talk trash because in the past when our houses have been matched up for third, it has been a year-long rivalry,” said Dave Pearson, a member of Sig Eps.

The match for fifth place was won by Tau Kappa Epsilon, who took the rope both times against Sigma Alpha Epsilon.phil white photo

Pi Kappa Alpha celebrates its victory over Sigma Phi Epsilon in the Tugs championship on Friday.