From AYF Olympics 2012 Special Issue
BOSTON, Mass.—Families have long symbolized the Olympic tradition, and this year is no exception. In the case of the Tutunjians, each of the four members shared a moment of glory at these Boston games.
Bob Tutunjian helped coach his Providence team to its 39th championship overall with a grueling victory over two other chapters that broke the century mark—neither of which was last year’s winner. In doing so, the “Varantians” recaptured the supremacy they last earned in 2009 at home.
His wife Shooshan watched her 32-year-old record in the 800 meters be broken by a young Detroit gazelle named Taleen Shahrigian making her debut. And off the stands she came to congratulate the youngster and pose for photographs.
Shooshan had been the only parent to hold an AYF record at the same time as one of her children. And it was a moment each of them enjoyed—a passing of the torch given their generation gap.
Son Stephen wound up eclipsing his own marks in the long jump and triple jump, adding the third gold in his other specialty, the high jump. The output kept him a point ahead of Philly’s Mike Kaiserian in the active scoring race (85-84).
Daughter Lynne kept it a perfect Olympics with three individual golds in the pool, winning the 25 free, 25 butterfly, and 50 breast against some mighty stiff competition. The performance moved her past the century mark with 110 points—5 ahead of Granite City’s Michelle Hagopian—as each made their bid to capture the scoring throne set at 144. Michelle has been undefeated all seven years.
And with that triple gold, Lynne passed her mom in career points, 110-105.5, giving her sole bragging rights at home.
“You always come into these games looking to do your very best,” said Lynne, who’s a true veteran at 25. “Being at the tail end of my AYF career, I didn’t expect to win every race. I was hoping for one gold, not three. When I was younger and in better shape, it may have been easier for me.”
Last year, she won a gold and two silver medals, but the majority has been triple golds throughout a career that’s been nothing short of illustrious. At one time, she was running sprints. Now, it’s all strokes.
Aside from her parents and brother, no one was a bigger fan than her late grandfather, Robert, who passed on two years ago. He seldom missed an outing.
One other twist bears revelation. During these past World Olympic Games in London, women’s swimming was a showcase event and two medal winners were no strangers to Lynne.
She swam against Rebecca Soni as a child, obviously unaware that Becky would win two gold medals. Yes, Rebecca did beat Lynne in that race.
Lynne also swam with Samantha Arsenault on a winning 4×200 relay. Arsenault also came up golden in London.
“I enjoyed watching them compete against the world’s best,” noted the Bentley College grad. “Women’s swimming has come a long way.”
Her final bow could be next year in Washington, D.C., and the ripple effect is expected to continue. In the meantime, she’ll continue living in Boston and working her job as an accountant with Price Waterhouse.
Brother Stephen was not to be outdone as he soared to record heights once again. It was quick, efficient, and rather subdued this time around, not like 2010 when he cracked Leo Derderian’s 52-year-old mark in the long jump. The whole pit area erupted in cheers that year.
The jumping specialist just graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in materials engineering. He was captain of the men’s track team and named Most Valuable Athlete his junior and senior years.
Stephen qualified for the NCAA Division 1 Championships twice in the triple jump where he holds the Lehigh record at 50’41/2”.
He was twice-named the Field Athlete of the Meet at the Patriot League Championships where he set a personal record by soaring over 24 feet in the long jump last year.
Stephen was Patriot League champion three times and was All-League six times, while making the League Academic Honor Roll. He was also named to the All-East Team three times in the IC4C Championships.
During pre-graduation ceremonies, he received a Distinguished Achievement Award from Lehigh for his contributions to the school. Stephen will be attending Tufts University graduate school in its bio-engineering department.
“I like to compete in the Olympics for my family,” he confirms. “It was more enjoyable this year since I didn’t have to drive or fly back to Lehigh for classes.”
As for the two records re-broken, he felt especially gratified at having his grandmother on hand as a spectator.
“She had never been able to see me jump before,” he added.
Tom Vartabedian
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