Greeks get down and dirty in Olympics

It was a day for sun tanning, acting stupid and getting dirty. Dozens of fraternity and sorority members gathered in Superblock Saturday, tossing eggs, eating pies, and riding tricycles as part of the annual Greek Olympics. "Seeing people acting stupid -- that's what it's all about," said Wharton sophomore Bryan Verona, a Sigma Alpha Mu brother. The games concluded a week-long celebration of the Greek system. First place for the fraternity division was captured by SAM, which won both the tricycle and three-legged races. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. tied Kappa Delta for first place in the sorority competition. The tricycle race started the day and set the tone for an afternoon of fun. "It was funny seeing adults, mature students, riding on these little tricycles," said Wharton senior Brett Fliegler, an Alpha Epsilon Pi brother and one of the Olympics' organizers. Students said that the race, along with the tug-of-war and the obstacle course, were their favorite events. The course was filled with crowd-pleasers. At one point, racers had to spin themselves quickly around a baseball bat before running in mud, hurdling a rope and drinking a glass of water. Competitors continually bumped into each other and fell in the mud, turning the sport into a slapstick comedy sketch. If Greeks managed to stay clean through the afternoon, the tug-of-war did most of them in. A pit of mud sculpted outside High Rise North lay in the middle to await the loser. Sigma Nu dominated the fraternity tug, pulling SAMmie brothers into the mud with each person only holding one hand on the rope. While the afternoon was competitive at times, most people said the spirit of the day was focused on Greek solidarity. "It was a fun and enthusiastic display of what the Greek system has to offer to everyone," said Interfraternity Council Greek Week Representative Bruce Forman. "These include fun, camaraderie, a sense of identity and membership, and an organization you are proud of." Olympics' organizer Tara Friend said she was impressed with the turnout for the event, adding that there event was bigger than last year. And students said whether they won or lost, it was just fun to be involved. "Just being here and participating is what makes this great," Verona said. "It is a beautiful day to hang out and get dirty," added College sophomore Belinda Rosenfield, a Phi Sigma Sigma sister. "It's a time for us to bond and support each other."

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