Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Yorgey could not believe what her sister did this past weekend.

"I think she's crazy," she said. "I don't know if I could do it myself, but I'm proud of her."

Brittany Yorgey (sophomore-education) danced in this past weekend's Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

"I'm feeling great. There is a lot of energy, and I can't wait to learn the line dance," Yorgey said about 10 minutes into Thon.

At 7:30 Friday night, Yorgey was one of the simplest dressed dancers on the floor, sporting jeans, a long-sleeved Thon shirt with the number 292 pinned on the back and a silver bandanna.

"I don't have anything crazy -- I'm planning to get stuff tomorrow," she said.

Yorgey followed the rest of the crowd for an hour as morale captains tediously rehearsed each movement of the line dance Friday at about 8 p.m.

Even during breaks in the lesson, Yorgey practiced the moves and danced to the music being played.

"I'm a slow learner," she said, laughing.

Later in the night, Yorgey changed into a short-sleeved Thon shirt, Penn State shorts, two silver bead necklaces and a princess crown.

"I met up with my moraler and she gave me cool stuff," she said.

At 4:40 a.m. Saturday the calm atmosphere began to get to Yorgey as she realized it was early in the morning. The early morning hours left her with little to participate in.

"It feels like there is no one here. My friends aren't here, and the kids aren't here either," she said, a little of her earlier excitement fading.

As the lull in entertainment continued, Yorgey went to the locker-room, where pictures of her favorite bands and inspirational messages from her moraler were taped on her locker.

"I brought make-up, underwear, lots of socks and two pairs of shoes," she said.

At 7:25 a.m. Saturday, Yorgey's spirits were lifted as her family arrived carrying bags of presents and wearing "Go Britt" necklaces.

Early yesterday morning, Yorgey's knee had swollen and was taped and iced by Emergency Medical Services, who were on call throughout the weekend. She said she did not cheat by sitting down while getting taped.

By mid-day yesterday, Yorgey was visibly fatigued as she walked around Rec Hall. She moved her feet from side to side and received numerous supportive hugs from other dancers.

"I'm kind of losing it," she said, looking dazed.

Family Hour, the most anticipated event of Thon weekend, began Sunday afternoon. Yorgey stood around friends and wiped away tears during the video of Four Diamonds children who have passed away.

"This is the true purpose of why we do it," she said.

Despite moments of delirium, boredom and discomfort, Yorgey lasted all 48 hours without any unbearable pain or breakdowns. The only thing she wanted to do at the end was take a seat.

"It'll feel like heaven," she said. "It'll be amazing."