<p>Staff photo by E.J. Harris The 2013 Pendleton High School homecoming Mud Wars at Happy Canyon.</p>

Their pink outfits stained in mud, the senior team of Big Bad Barbies pulled into first place this year at Pendleton High Schools Mud Wars.

The annual event on the Happy Canyon stage gives girls a chance to show off their strength during homecoming week.

Usually the guys get all the attention from the big football game, PHS leadership advisor Stu Clem said. This is the thing the girls get to do, and its big.

Happy Canyon stands were filled at the Wednesday evening competition. Eighteen teams, including the Quick Turtles, Glitter Faeries and Old Men divided by class year showed up to tug in the mud.

The competition began 18 years ago when a heavy rain sludged up a scheduled tug-of-war game.

Winning team member Evangelina Olivera, 17, said the majority of the 18 members of Big Bad Barbies were also on last years winning team of juniors.

Its cool because you get to pull with people who usually arent on your team (in sports), Olivera said. Its a big adrenaline rush.

Oliveras teammates on the Big Bad Barbies included Hannah Smith, Emily Hillmick, Reeghan Lehnert, Alexis Henslee, Cori Briscoe, Lindsey Roach, Becca Wagner, Dally Smith, Dusti Leetch, Courtney Yates, Tristan Fell, Emily Sorey, Sonara Malumaleumu, Alissa Arguello, Charmayne Robinson, Hailey Kline and Molly Hamilton.

Proceeds from the $3 event tickets go to the districts canned food drive and Coats for Kids.

Contact Natalie Wheeler at nwheeler@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836.