PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The pentathlon this year warrants some poetic justice, as far as the women’s ledger is concerned.
Roses are red, violets are blue. Out with the old and in with the new.
Newcomer Justine Douvadjian of Providence turned the tables on venerable Karine Birazian-Shnorhokian competing in her last Olympics, giving notice of a new perennial champion should she choose to repeat.
On the men’s side, another relative newcomer Mardiros Khatchadrian outdid his Philly teammate Aram Gregoryan, marking the first time that two members from the same chapter went one-two in this event.
Competition was keen, times and distances more than respectable, and interest at a higher ebb than usual.
Women’s division
Douvadjian was not to be denied this year after playing bridesmaid a year ago to Philly’s Jessica Sarkisian, who bypassed the event this year.
That left the field of six wide open, except for Birazian-Shnorhokian, who came in with six titles and always a force, despite some declining years and a swan song for the New Jerseyite. Add to that a pair of silver medals and a bronze, giving her 123 points total—good for fourth place all-time.
When the dust had cleared, Douvadjian had 2,795 points to 2,482 for Birazian-Shnorhokian. Both scores were a marked improvement over a year ago when the champ registered 2,367 and the runner-up only 1,274 for third place. In all fairness, Birazian-Shnorhokian competed hurt in 2009 and gutted it out in the 800 meters for her medal—her only third in the event.
New year, final chapter for Karine.
“This year I really went out and tried my best,” she said. “Thanks to Ken Sarajian, we had access to a local track. A friend of his, John Murtaugh, coached us and it made a significant difference in my performance. I shaved 20 seconds off my 800 time, thanks to the conditioning and preparation.”
For someone who never did track in high school and college, Birazian-Shnorhokian has come a long way. She’s the total package, be it ANCA catalyst, nurse, athlete, or young wife.
“As the years go on, you soon realize you can’t just go out and run a race without training,” she confirmed. “This year, I was disciplined and took my races seriously. I was happy with my performances.”
Her 26’6” heave in the shot was good enough for first. A 14’4” leap in the long jump took second. Another first came in the high jump at 4’9”. Two other personal bests came on the track in the 200 (31.0) and 800 (2:57). By her side lending moral support was husband Vahig, joined by her mom and in-laws. Also by her side in a different capacity was Douvadjian.
“Justine and I have competed several times against one another,” Karine said. “She’s a stellar high school and college track athlete. And Araxi (Karafian) had a fantastic attitude off and on the track in her first pent.”
The Greater Boston star managed third with 2,195 points, followed by Philly’s Julie Miller with 2,096. It isn’t often you get the top four entries to exceed 2,000 points in this event.
“The AYF gave me leadership skills, took me to Armenia, led me to my career with ANCA, and molded me into the person I am today,” said Birazian-Shnorhokian. “I look forward to being an ‘Arsen’ alumni and give as much back to the organization as it’s given me. I can’t wait for the day when I see my own kids get on a seminar bus and run on the track.”
These days, Karine works at Hackensack University Medical Center for Cogent Healthcare, a hospitalist group that manages inpatient hospital care. She still actively volunteers with the ANC of New Jersey and works with the local community to organize events, continue pursuing genocide education and Congressional matters.
Douvadjian cleared 4’4” in the high jump, did 15’6” in the long jump, and heaved the shot 26’1” before posting times of 26.8 in the 200 and 2:43.9 in the 800.
Just how good were these women? Justine, Karine, and Araxi all long-jumped better than the open winner. Karine would have won the open high jump. Justine and Araxi had faster 200 times than the open winner in that event.
After graduating from Lawrence Central Catholic High School in 2004, Douvadjian proceeded to Wilbraham & Monson Academy for a year of preparatory. She still holds records for the 200, 400, and long jump there.
She later attended Bryant University in Rhode Island, graduating last year with a finance degree. She was a four-year member of the track team and regularly placed at the NE-10 Conference Championships during her years.
Her best times were 26.7 in the 200; 59.6 in the 400; 1:20.6 in the indoor 500; and 16’4” in the long jump. She currently works for New Balance in Boston.
Both she and Karine easily surpassed Sarkisian’s total of a year ago. After a grueling five-event afternoon, Justine bounced back up and ran two tremendous relay legs for Providence.
“It bothered me a little to lose to Jessica last year,” she said. “I was determined to work hard this year and come back for the victory. Karine is a great athlete and a worthy competitor in every regard. It took a lot to beat her.”
Men’s division
Philly showed its dominance in this event behind Mardiros Khatchadrian and Aram Gregoryan as they finished with 2,177 and 1,918 points, respectively. In third place was Greater Boston’s Aurelian Mardirosian with 1,546 points, followed by Detroit’s Armen Topouzian with 1,429.
The “hard luck” award went to Providence’s Armenag Antranigian who pulled out after the third event with a groin injury while leading the pack by six points. And running was his forte, having won the pent 1,600 last year to finish third overall. Antranigian is attending graduate school at Providence College to become a physician’s assistant.
Khatchadrian hurled the discus 95’3” and the shot 36’6”. He long-jumped 16’7” before covering the 200 in 24.8 and the 1,600 in 5:59.9. It was a marked improvement over his fourth-place finish of a year ago.
The top two finishers in 2009 accumulated over 2,600 points.
“Mardik went into it optimistically, worked very hard, and deserved it,” said his coach Rich Chebookjian. “He and Aram are both good athletes and good friends. To have two members of the same chapter finish one-two is really something.”
Also competing in the event was Granite City’s Stephen Hagopian, who totaled 1,407 points.
Tom Vartabedian
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