Not all survive Thon's 48 hours

Dance marathon lasted 48 hours, or 30 or 12 . . . for some dancers, at least.

Throughout the weekend, some dancers dropped out of the 1998 Interfraternity Coucil/Panhellenic Dance Marathon from exhaustion, swollen ankles and other ailments, while others were able to make it through all 48 hours.

Without a doubt, the marathon tested the endurance of its participants.

George Berkelbach (junior-recreational park management) and his partner Mandy Lewis (junior-biology and marine science) represented the Penn State Crew team for Thon. Staying for the full 48 hours, they kept themselves awake with many of the activities going on there, although it wasn't easy, Berkelbach said.

Lewis said one reason they were able to endure the marathon was because their teammates visited them often and gave them support.

Abram Falek (sophomore-Spanish) and Mandie Kuehn (sophomore-elementary education) represented the Beaver Campus at the marathon. They had no problems in the beginning, although Kuehn had a slight case of the flu.

However, Kuehn was forced to withdraw from Thon when the flu got the better of her.

"She had the flu when we started, but she really wanted to do this. She just couldn't," Falek said.

Kuehn was not alone. As the marathon continued, more people fell ill, suffering from fallen arches, exhaustion and other ailments.

Steven Sacco (freshman-meteorology) and Sean Wood (sophomore-secondary education) represented the Chi Psi fraternity, 406 S. Pugh St. Although Sacco was able to dance until the end of Thon, Wood was not as lucky. Wood had to drop out early Sunday morning, Sacco said, when his ankles became too swollen.

"He could hardly stand anymore, they were swollen very badly," Sacco said.

It wasn't easy for other dancers, even though they were able to stay for the entire marathon. Falek said he kept dozing off early Sunday morning, resting his eyes whenever he could.

"I fell asleep standing up, resting my head on a railing," Falek said. He also had problems responding to questions quickly, as exhaustion crept up on him.

Berkelbach said he also had a rough time staying awake Saturday night.

"Early morning, I was awake but I wasn't really coherent," Berkelbach said. "I kept walking around and eventually I got fired up."

Though the marathon was grueling for some dancers, it was all worth it, Sacco said.

"I would definitely do this again," Sacco said. "It's a good cause, and it's worth it."