2015 AYF Olympics: Providence Edges Out Boston in Swimming

By Bob Tutunjian

At the Friday evening swim meet, Providence was only one point ahead of Greater Boston before the final four events. But the “Varantians” swept both butterfly events and the freestyle relays to win the swim meet 49-38. They were led by three golds from Lynne Tutunjian and firsts in all three relays. The “Nejdehs” countered with two golds and a silver from rookie Katarena Nalbandian and 10 points from veteran Eric Movsesian. Philadelphia was 3^rd with 25 points while Worcester and Chicago tied for 4^th with 13 points each. Detroit was just behind with 10 and they were followed by North Andover and West San Fernando (2 each), and Granite City and New Jersey at 1 each.

Providence and Philadelphia Duel in the 200 Medley Relay

Women’s Swimming

Lynne Tutunjian won triple gold for the second consecutive year and finished her AYF career with 153 points—the most of any woman. Lynne first won the 25-meter freestyle in 13.19, ahead of Stephanie Sudjian from Philadelphia and Melanie Aftandilian from Greater Boston. Her time also broke the existing record for this event, which she had set in 2004. Lynne then took the 50 free in 31.25 over Worcester’s Maggie Bablouzian and Sudjian in third. In her last individual event, Lynne won the 25 butterfly in 14.51 in front of Katarena Nalbandian and Meline Topouzian from Detroit. Katarena had won gold previously in both the 100-meter freestyle (1:18.52) and 50 breaststroke (40.56) to accumulate 13 points. Katarena swims for Belmont High School and placed 20^th at the north sectional state meet in the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:16.69. In the 100 free, Meline took second place ahead of Greater Boston’s Carnie Armenian. Bablouzian won the breaststroke silver, while Carnie took the bronze. Maggie did earn gold in the backstroke for a total of 11 points. She clocked 40.84 just ahead of Meline with Nejdeh Sevan Dulgarian in third.

25 Butterfly Medalists (L-R) Meline Topouzian (DET), Lynne Tutunjian (PROV), Katerena Nalbandian (BOST)

Finally the girls 4×25 relay saw six teams enter with Detroit and Greater Boston battling for the lead after the first two swimmers. But Lynne passed three teams to establish a lead for Tarvis Hintlian to win in a time of 1:08.72. The Nejdehs and Tandourjians finished just behind.

Lynne Tutunjian starting in the 50 Freestyle

Men’s Swimming

In the men’s events, Chicago newcomer Andrew Devedjian was the main story as he won both the 50- and 100-meter freestyles in 27.08 and 1:00.68, respectively. He topped Eric Movsesian and Varantian Rosdom Mkrtschjan in the 50. Philadelphia’s Daron Pogharian and Providence’s Kyle Byrd won the other medals in the 100 free. Andrew Devedjian’s hope for triple gold was dashed by Andrew Hintlian from Providence in the 50 butterfly where he won in 28.51. Eric was just behind the two Andrews in third place. Eric had earlier won gold in the 50 backstroke in a time of 35.56 with “Sebouh” Mark Santerian and Kyle Byrd behind. Sevan Zobian added another gold for Providence in the 50 breaststroke (45.07) ahead of Richard Keshgegian (Philadelphia) and Pogharian.

50 Breaststroke Medalists (L-R) Daron Pogharian (PHIL), Sevan Zobian (PROV), RIch Keshgegian (PHIL)

In the 4×50 meter medley relay event, Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead after the backstroke and breaststroke. But Andrew Hintlian passed everyone in the butterfly and gave a comfortable lead to Steve Tutunjian who finished it out for Providence in 2:29.27. The Varantians took an early lead in the 4×50 freestyle relay to win going away in 2:06.78. The Sebouhs took second in both races. North Andover was third in the medley relay while West San Fernando was third in the free relay in a photo finish over Greater Boston.