Chris Winnicker doesn't have time to be nervous -- she has too many things to do.

In a matter of hours, the curtain will rise on the 1993 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, as Winnicker and other organizers are scurrying around making last-minute preparations to make sure things run smoothly.

"We're pulling in last-minute items," said Winnicker, overall marathon morale chairwoman, from the hectic marathon headquarters in the HUB. "I was just at the tennis club to get some tennis balls . . . and we're all looking for a white roll of paper right now."

Winnicker said all of the morale captain "education" has been completed.

"(Morale committee members) are prepared to give massages . . . they all know how to deal with hallucinating dancers," she said.

And Tom O'Keefe isn't nervous, just a little anxious.

"We have everything planned out on time lines," said O'Keefe, the overall marathon chairman. "But with 540 dancers, we have to realize that not everything is going to go according to plan."

As food deliveries arrive daily, O'Keefe has been spending many hours by the phone during the last week.

"I've been making last-minute phone calls to call families and let them know what's going on this weekend," he said. "We've also been checking on any last-minute needs from companies . . . for various items we could use."

Heather Podmenik, one of the social committee members in charge of dinner, said she is confident the marathon will run relatively smoothly.

"Everything is basically ready," she said. "We're just doing pickups for equipment now . . . and contacting places, making sure everything is ready for the last minute."

Last night, committee members decked White Building with banners and decorations. Today, the Office of Physical Plant will be busy providing two sets of stairs, 49 risers and 50 tables, said Amy Olenick, OPP customer service and public relations coordinator.

"(OPP) will also be providing 10 dumpsters, one for recycling," Olenick said.

For Rick Funk, Greek life coordinator, picking up sound meters and taking care of non-marathon responsibilities has kept his schedule tight.

"At 2, I'll get into the marathon-mode . . . put on some jeans and a sweatshirt and go over to the White Building," he said.

But Funk also knows everything can't be perfect.

"I know we have to be prepared if something falls through," he said. "I'm not nervous, but I am anticipating (the marathon)."

While O'Keefe agrees, he will breathe easier when things get underway.

"Things are a little hectic," he said.

But committee members aren't the only ones preparing themselves for the marathon -- the dancers are taking advantage of their free time to stay off their feet and stuff their faces.

Last night, the Tavern Restaurant, 220 E. College Ave., had a pasta dinner for dancers, enabling them to build up essential carbohydrates.

"My roommate and I are both dancing," said Donna Dorazio, marathon chairwoman for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, 5 Ritner. "We've been eating tons of pasta, sleeping and drinking a lot."

Dancers -- on your mark, get set . . .