From AYF Olympics 2012 Special Issue
BOSTON, Mass.—The question remains, “How does Providence do it year after year, time after time, generation following generation?”
One word defines their script, “Tradition!”
It’s what moved Tevya in “Fiddler on the Roof,” and it’s the same calculation that keeps the “Varantians” in gear. They don’t know how to compete without it.
This 39th victory was textbook perfect. After a substandard night in the pool, they bounced back with a gold in tennis, then chipped away auspiciously on the track Sunday.
They did it with superior athletes, some gifted recruits, and precise coaching. Throw in discipline, teamwork, and a few unsung heroes for good measure and it spells victory.
“Much was made this weekend about our recruitment efforts,” said Coach Bob Tutunjian. “I have always felt it important to reach out to more Armenians and get them involved in the AYF. Not all of them become well-rounded members. But some do, and that’s how this organization grows.”
After all was said and done, 8 newcomers were included on a team of 42, while another 10 came aboard as Junior transfers.
“Every member was willing to try different events when necessary,” Tutunjian added. “Practices were somewhat difficult due to conflicting schedules, vacations, and other commitments. It was gratifying to win this year in Mal Varadian’s memory.”
After last year’s shortfall, which resulted in only 34 points and 6th overall, Tutunjian and his sidekick Steve Elmasian vowed to make amends. It was a low point that couldn’t be measured by the duo.
“We recognized that our current membership achieved good results in 2009 and 2010,” Tutunjian added. “We reached out to those chapter members who couldn’t make it to Chicago and told them of our efforts. Almost all committed to making a good showing in Boston.”
Elmasian has been piloting the “Varantians” for as long as he cares to remember, and reminds you time and again that it’s not all about athletics but about building relationships and growing involved in church and community circles.
This year, he had the late Mal Varadian in his corner, a guy who was the paragon of AYF-ism, along with other members of his family.
On the way home from Olympics, Elmasian stopped off at the cemetery and placed the championship trophy by his gravesite.
“Mal knew how to get you involved, no matter what side of the tracks you were from,” Elmasian reflected. “He taught you respect and dignity. He instilled pride and honor among the youth. Winning the Olympics for him was icing on the cake this year.”
The depth charts complemented the talent. No point in singling out individuals. In Elmasian’s mind, a fourth-place point was just as vital as a gold medal. In the end, he had words of praise for his coaching sidekick Tutunjian.
“His organizational skills and persistency are the reasons for our success,” Elmasian noted. “Others like Mike Varadian, Fred Hintlian, and Harry Kachadoorian have offered their advice and encouragement at practice. A dozen Providence AYF alumni where available throughout the day Sunday to help with the events and support those competing.”
Will the “Varantians” show in Washington, or pull another Chicago?
“We need to start planning early so we can get a huge team to D.C. and defend our title,” he said. “There’s no reason to think we won’t be there with a full team.”
Meanwhile, the Greater Boston camp remains buoyant. It’s an AYF chapter with 150 Juniors and Seniors with abundant talent, along with the numbers. And they’re doing it with home-grown athletes.
“Boston does not comb the internet looking for athletes across the northeast,” said Coach Ara Krafian, an Olympic King this year with Rich Chebookjian. “We persuade and convince our members to compete.”
The “Nejdehs” started the weekend on solid ground by sweeping men’s tennis. They wrapped it up with 43 of the last 45 available Olympic points in the 2 pentathlons and 3 final relays. Even then, they fell 30 points short.
“Our members represented themselves very respectfully,” he said. “I’m proud of all our athletes, regardless of how they might have finished because they came together as a team.”
Krafian pointed to athletes like Kevork Ourfalian, who he competed with a serious injury, as “unsung heros.”
“He was a key part of two winning relays and was at the track from start to finish cheering for every Boston athlete,” Krafian added. “And there were others like Maral Merian, Lia Aftandilian. Talene Sagherian, and Meg Babikian who competed well in their first Olympics. It’s especially exciting for me to watch them grow from young Juniors to young ladies.”
The same could be said for his two daughters, Nairi and Araxi, premiere athletes who combined for 25 individual points this year and keyed the relays.
Away from the field, Krafian lauded his coach Rich Chebookjian for sharing the Olympic King’s tribute with him and applauded Michael Guzelian and Tamar Kanarian for orchestrating this Olympics as co-chairs, making it one of the most successful in history.
Also singled out was his wife Heather who was a beehive of activity all weekend.
“She worked tirelessly all summer doing her work and mine,” Krafian noted. “I’m a lucky man.”
Which brings us to Philly, a team that’s certainly in the title hunt for years to come, led by new coach Avi Keshgegian. The “Sebouhs” wound up third with 124 points and were in hot pursuit until the end. They showed up with close to 30 athletes, dug deep, and made an impression just the same.
“What our team lacked in overall size, we compensated with talent and heart,” said Keshgegian. “We were missing athletes in several different events, were hurt by injuries, and weren’t pleased with the ruling on two different relays. Those kinds of things are out of our control.”
Keshgegian went out on a limb and predicted success, starting with a gold in D.C. Expect it to become a four-chapter race, counting a resurgence by Detroit.
Tom Vartabedian
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