7:15 p.m. Friday

This year, it took the dancers 57 minutes to learn the entire three-minute line dance, breaking last year's record of 68 minutes.

"Not only was it easier to learn than previous years, it did a better job of capturing this year's events and the spirit of Thon," said Christian Squillante (junior-biopsychology), a South Halls Association of Students dancer.

"I think the line dance was a little involved, but I heard that it was easier than previous years," said Sara Colson (junior-agricultural education), an Alpha Zeta fraternity dancer.

7 p.m. Saturday

Not only do moralers, line dances, visitors and food encourage Thon dancers -- the little things count too.

"Oh, I'm definitely pumped up because of these pigtails," said Carolyn Guerriero, a Biobehavioral Health Society dancer. "The line dance is great, but for now, it's really all about these pigtails, though I'm sure they won't make me last forever," she said.

10:10 p.m. Saturday

Six morale committee members laid exhausted dancers down on mats with their feet on big plastic balls to rub their backs directly across from the established massage station where there was an hour long wait.

Matt Gaines (freshman-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said his team was working a bathroom break and just decided to help these dancers out.

As he rubbed Jodi Casher's (sophomore-human development and family studies) back with a tennis ball, she said, "It's amazing."

11:35 p.m. Saturday

Out of nowhere, committee members started walking around the floor with the smiley-face cookies from Eat'n Park. Some had icing decoration on them already, while others were plain cookies with icing supplied on the side so the dancers and children could decorate their own.

"We went to Eat'n Park with this idea, and it has had a positive reaction," Michael Diehl (sophomore-athletic training) said. "Everyone loves cookies; the kids especially love cookies."

3:39 a.m. Saturday

The floor is sticky from sweat and spilled drinks. Most of the children are gone, but a couple thousand supporters and spectators still mingle with dancers or watch from the stands.

Kristen Salvia and Karynne Manson were already in the infirmary, their feet packed in ice, when Mary Kaye Jacono arrived with sharp pain in her ankles and calves.

The infirmary already has gone through dozens of rolls of athletic tape and uncounted blister pads, but so far, no one has had to quit.

"At least I can still dance," Jacono said as a trainer taped her ankles. "That's what's important."

4 a.m. Sunday

Mike "The Mailman" Herr and Don "The Mail Guy" Plotts appeared on stage to introduce this year's Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon mail call. While this was the first year Plotts could attend Thon, Herr said he has been performing mail calls for nearly 15 years.

"When they did the first mail call in the White Building, I did it then," Herr said, adding that six people could handle the job then. "Through the years, it has really snowballed."

Herr said all the mail for Thon dancers filled two rooms at the HUB-Robeson center.

Lisa Goodrich (senior-psychology), whose parents sent her a stuffed Cheer Bear Care Bear, said the timing was perfect for her.

"At the time they did it, I was starting to have delayed vision," she said.

Jenna Michalik (senior-elementary education), who said her mind was "hazy" during mail call, said the hand-made book she received from her roommate was a welcomed distraction from her fatigue.

2:15 p.m. Sunday

The crowd grew restless with inactivity as the last four hours approached. Undergraduate Student Government President Ian Rosenberger took it upon himself to get the crowd re-energized.

"Well, we were all just standing around so I thought I'd give the wave a try," Rosenberger said. "I like the wave," he said.

Rosenberger's attempt was a success, as three consecutive waves moved through the audience.

7 p.m. Sunday

Connor McGogney (senior-information sciences and technology), a dancer for Sigma Pi fraternity, 303 Fraternity Row, knelt to the ground after 48 hours of dancing.

"My legs are tired, but I have more energy now than I did five hours into it," McGogney said.

The t-shirt McGogney wore for the last few hours had the phrase "I had cancer but it can't have me" written across the back. McGogney was diagnosed with cancer when he was 15 and has been cancer-free for six years.

-- compiled by Collegian staff writers and The Associated Press