ROANOKE RAPIDS — It could have been a North Carolina State University vs. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill championship basketball game with the way the crowd shouted and yelled at Crowley’s Lifestyle and Fitness Thursday night, as two opponents arm wrestled.

Jacqueline Hough | The Daily Herald Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allen Purser, left, and Crowley’s Lifestyle and Fitness Owner Tammy Crowley arm wrestled Thursday evening at the Chamber’s Business After Hours event at Crowley’s. More than 150 people turned out to see the match end in a draw. Advertisement

There were cries of “Go Allen” and “Get him, Tammy” as Allen Purser and Tammy grunted and grimaced their hands locked in combat. Everyone in the crowd of more than 150 leaned in to see who would win when suddenly it was all over — a draw.

Purser, president and CEO of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, was happy with the results. “Well, I didn’t lose. It was a draw,” he said. “I would say that but Tammy might have a different take.”

Crowley, owner of Crowley’s Lifestyle and Fitness, agreed it was a draw. She was impressed with the turnout for the Business After Hours event sponsored by her business.

“It was excellent,” she said. “It was a good turnout with good networking. I support the chamber as a business person and this is my way of supporting it.”

Her father, Paul Melvin, came out to support her. “I didn’t get to see it,” he said because of the large crowd.

But he did ask his daughter a question. “Why didn’t you throw him down,” he said. Crowley said with a smile, “I wouldn’t want to embarrass a man.”

Before the arm wrestling and the bench press challenge, there was plenty of trash talk on Facebook and at the event.

“Why would a man challenge a girl to arm wrestling?” Crowley said. She admitted she was prepared because she had been working out using the kettle bell, exercising and doing some basic weight lifting.

Purser, however, said he did “absolutely no training at all ... I am going into it with confidence and a little prayer.”

And the prize, well there was no prize except pride and bragging rights. Purser said he knew what would happened if he lost. “I will be teased by my friends,” he said. “It would be unrelenting. They will ride me for years.”

When Jason Whitby, of the Employment Security Commission, was asked about Purser’s chances of winning, he said “probably not. I will go with Tammy.” He then added, “I come to the gym and I see her in action.”

Phil Hux was the unofficial announcer for the event and called it Smackdown 2009. He referred to Purser as the Bruiser the champ, who wore a shirt that said “Old guys rule,” and Crowley as the next arm wrestling champion of Roanoke Rapids.

Since Purser had challenged Crowley to arm wrestling, she challenged Purser to a benchpressing challenge, his reply — “OK, I’ll try it.” They started with 45 pounds, then went to 95 and 115 pounds and finally stopped at 135 pounds.

Purser kept up with her until 135 pounds when she did four while he barely did one. “I got one,” Purser said. “We’re not doing anymore.”

Overall, Purser was pleased with turnout. “I think if we get a good turnout for Crowley’s Lifestyle and Fitness, it will have been worth it,” he said.

But Purser wasn’t the only one pleased with the results. JB Beale, Work First manager for the chamber, said she was so glad he survived it, “He is one of my favorite bosses I’ve ever had.”

The next Business After Hours will be held at Citizens Community Bank in Roanoke Rapids from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 19.