The group on the right side of the rope pulled its hardest, but was unable to hold on. In one instant, all eight members fell into the ankle-deep mud, clothes and all, in the mud tug-of-war yesterday on the UA Mall.

Slinging and slipping in mud was the most popular of the events in which clubs competed for a $400 prize.

This was the second year of the competition, inspired by the movie "Revenge of the Nerds," which was filmed on the UA campus. It was dreamed up by executive vice student body president Jennifer Reece.

After watching the film a few years ago, Reece began to wonder how she could bring an event to campus that would be similar to the fraternity competition at the end of the movie.

While it was doubtful the university would help pay for tricycle races that involved beer chugging, Reece hoped there were other things she could organize that would still generate student interest.

"One day I was sitting around talking with my friends," Reece said. "I remembered watching movies like ĪRevenge of the Nerds' and I thought that would be fun."

Eight clubs participated in such events as mud tug-of-war, crazy tricycle races, obstacle course races and a pie-eating contest, among others, at the second-annual Club Olympics.

Though a few students rode tricycles and ran through the inflatable obstacle course, mud tug-of-war was probably the highlight of the event, as people covered in mud from head to toe jumped around in the mud pits east of Old Main.

A crowd of students gathered around the pits, unaccustomed to seeing a bunch of college kids roll around in the mud for fun.

The mudfest also inspired a bunch of trash-talk between the different clubs, as they vied for the $400 prize.

"Our goal today is to kick everyone's butt in mud tug-of-war," said Chain Gang Junior Honorary member Alexis Coury, whose group does philanthropic work in the Tucson community.

Bobcats Senior Honorary member Aaron Lemke said his team ruled supreme.

"It is a quality challenge to see if any of the other clubs can take us," he said.

The club who wins the competition will be announced at the Homecoming bonfire tonight at 8. They will receive a $400 prize from the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.

"We've had a really good turnout and it seems like everyone's having a lot of fun," said ASUA club events coordinator Melissa Davis, who organized this year's event. "It's nice to have it during Homecoming week because I think it brings out more people."

Club Olympics was held in coordination with Homecoming Mall events put on by Bobcats Senior Honorary, a group of 13 seniors chosen each year to help organize Homecoming festivities.

The Bobcats put on an event at the UA Mall every day this week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get people excited about Homecoming, said Bobcats president Seth Stalcup.

"Every year, Bobcats puts on Mall events," Stalcup said. "To get more people involved, we decided to bring (Club Olympics and Bobcats) together."

Gila Residence Hall, Alpha Kappa Psi, Spires Sophomore Honorary, Sophos Sophomore Honorary, Ambassadors for Christ and Alpha Phi Omega, Chain Gang Junior Honorary and Bobcats Senior Honorary all took part in the event.

"Everyone is doing it for different reasons," Davis said. "A lot of them are out here for fun ÷ and the $400, they probably like that too."