Providence, Detroit look ahead
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—If you’re the wagering type, you might consider a few possibilities as the Olympic bandwagon chugs along.
* Chicago should win the Most Improved Chapter award next year in its home town. That wouldn’t be hard to do considering how the “Ararats” managed just two points this year in what was surely humbling to this chapter. Wasn’t it that long ago when they won the whole shebang?
* Look for Philly to show up in full force to defend its title and retire a second cup in Boston in 2011, provided the “Nejdehs” can serve as host. Word has it that hotel accommodations are rather tenuous at the moment and that Washington and New Jersey are other alternatives.
* You would not expect any Providence chapter to play possum. The “Varantians” will regroup and prove a formidable force once again behind a strong cadre of Juniors and the usually eagle-eyed recruiting they’ve mustered.
* Greater Boston is the chapter of the future with its 70-odd juniors and athletic talent waiting in the wings. The Karafian sisters alone could form a winning relay team. And coaches like Ara Karafian and Stepan Dulgarian have enough Olympic experience and savvy to lead the charge.
* Rest assured, once Alex Sarafian retires from his post on Governing Body next year, he will dedicate his efforts to reconstructing Detroit with the help of guys like Armen Derderian and Mike Kazarian, not to exclude the guardianship of one Sonny Gavoor. Look for daughter Nancy Gavoor to also step to the plate and handle the women.
* New Jersey doubled its output from a year ago and could play the role of spoiler in Chicago.
Providence
Coach Steve Elmasian compares his Philly counterparts to the likes of a Division 1 college track team. “They’re a classy bunch of kids and deserve all the accolades bestowed upon them,” he says. “We did what we always do: put our best team together and support each other throughout the weekend.”
Thirty-four Varantians dined out Saturday night. The guest list included about 25 athletes and the rest adults. Most of these 25 competed in all their events.
“We danced the ‘Hey Jon’ with pride and behaved like decent people representing our alumni with that same pride,” he adds.
Elmasian points to the last relay of the afternoon as a good example of the resilience his athletes demonstrated.
“We were neck and neck with Philly. They had the advantage of using different runners while we kept using the same ones over and over again.”
Justine Douvadjian had just won a pentathlon and was tapped to run two relays besides.
“We knew we were up against some stiff odds this year,” Elmasian says. “While the score might seem a bit lopsided, there’s no amount of points you can place on the heart and soul of young people and the coaches who devote their time.”
As to Chicago, Elmasian hopes to draw more significant numbers.
Detroit
Sarafian is bracing himself for a return to the coaching ranks where he best shines. His intent is to build this “K-T” Chapter to the dynasty it once was—and you have to believe him. He’s got a tremendous support system with the alumni.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting involved in coordinating our team,” said the former U of Michigan athlete. “While we had good participation in Philly (over 30), we have more on the rolls and others filtering through the juniors. With a short trip to Chicago, we should have better participation and greater scoring output. Will it be enough to win? We’ll have to wait and see.”
Sarafian has worked on Governing Body for seven years and takes comfort in knowing how well the Olympics prepare future generations of community leaders. His stint may be extended to a modified transition year in Chicago and currently working to finalize a replacement.
Could very well be someone from the Windy City. Stay tuned.
Philadelphia
Forty-four athletes took part and there was no fat to be trimmed, all muscle and mite. The “Sebouhs,” as one coach so aptly put it, resembled a college team.
“The big difference was a better women’s team,” divulged Coach Rich Chebookjian. “We had about the same number of athletes a year ago when we lost to Providence. When you set a record for most points scored, you have to click on all cylinders. To reach 300 would have been the exclamation point—the real challenge met—but maybe a stretch.”
It was one highlight film after another being recorded by a professional videographer. Philly captured every nuance for posterity. Chebookjian couldn’t say enough for Emanuel Mkrtchian, who broke the discus record (150’2”) and wound up as one of eight high scorers—five of them “Sebouhs.”
Mkrtchian has been with Philly the past four years and is a co-captain.
“The fact he and Steve Tutunjian broke records brought another dimension to the games,” said Chebookjian. “You’re talking two quality kids who broke records belonging to two quality athletes [Alex Sarafian and Leo Derderian].”
Was there any doubt Philly would prevail this year? Not by a fat chance.
“There was no pressure,” he said, breaking down the score. “Going into Sunday’s track, we were 50 points up on everyone else. At that point, we wanted a good experience. Our kids were gracious competitors on and off the field. We have tremendous talent coming from the Juniors. It’s all about families, not about me.”
Whether or not Chebookjian returns in Chicago remains to be seen. He’s noncommittal at this point but odds are he will, then look to capture another Olympic Cup in Boston in 2011, provided the games are hosted there by the chapter to which he belonged and emerged as the second highest scorer ever.
“It’s always sweet to win at home—the first time it’s ever happened to Philly,” he added. “People may criticize my intensity. With respect to that, I’ve been there, done that. I’m here for the kids and will do everything I can to get them involved with the AYF. That’s become my mission.”
Tom Vartabedian
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