HOLLAND, Mich. - Two area Hope College students participated in the Pull, one of the nation's oldest college traditions, on Sept. 29.
The Pull, first held in 1898, is an annual fall highlight at Hope College. It started as a tug-of-war between the freshman and sophomore classes for the freshmen to earn their place on campus. Over the years, it has evolved into a grueling three-hour match which freshman and sophomore teams, entrenched in shallow pits on opposite sides of the Black River, attempt to gain the most rope through their strength and stamina.
Each team has 18 students on the rope as "pullers," and another 18 acting as guides and morale boosters, or "moralers." The Pull brings hundreds of alumni, parents and students to cheer on the "odd-" or "even-" year team. The odd-year class of 2011 won this year's Pull.
Jordan Fuller, a sophomore, was a puller for the class of 2010 team. He is the son of Dennis and Kim Fuller, Leesburg, and a 2006 Warsaw Community High School graduate.
Janae Stewart, a freshman, was a moraler for the class of 2011 team. She is the daughter of Michael and Lee Anne Stewart, Syracuse, and a 2007 Wawasee High School graduate.
