Junior commuter EJ Shannon’s hands burned as he tugged the rope with all his might. Sweat dripped down his face as he and the rest of the commuters tugged on the rope to the cadence of their coaches’ voices, chanting “Pull, pull, pull.” The commuter team had one thing in mind: winning. They had a legacy to uphold.

On Oct. 9th, eight residence halls and the commuters battled for victory in Bethel University’s annual homecoming tug of war competition. Teams of 30 residents (15 men and 15 women) competed in the double-elimination tournament. 

The first round brought quick victories for Arden Village, Getsch, the commuters and Nelson. But as the rounds progressed, matches lasted longer. The championship game was a rematch. AV, the defending runners-up, faced the commuters, the undefeated tug of war champions. 

“At first we had no strategy, but then after the first round, we just thought that we would pull every few seconds,” AV sophomore Emily Pearson said. 

As the two teams tugged back and forth, Bethel students shouted “AV, AV, AV.” The roar echoed throughout the Robertson Center Gym. 

“Everyone wants to beat the commuters,” senior Edgren RA Celia Woyoke said. 

As the war progressed, AV’s strategy failed them. The back-and-forth battle ended in a commuter victory. 

“COMMUTERS, COMMUTERS,” screamed the team in a cluster after its win. 

“It’s always fun playing the villain role, and it’s even more fun taking the dub,” Shannon said.