The following is a compilation of quotes from some of the coaches who were involved in the preparation of their teams for this year’s Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Olympics.
(Photo: Tamar Kanarian)
Greater Boston
This year’s winning Greater Boston chapter was coached by Ara Krafian. Ara is one of the highest scorers in AYF history, a past Governing Body member, and an Olympics King. He shared his feelings about how his team was “built on a solid foundation.”
“When my eldest daughter, Araxi, became a junior member in 2002, I boosted my involvement with the Greater Boston ‘Nejdeh’ Olympic effort. The two of us are still at it, and along with the rest of our team, we just celebrated our best year. From the start, our juniors regularly experienced success, conversely it took time for the building blocks to fill in at the senior level.
Long before the current class of Greater Boston Nejdehs won the 2016 AYF Olympics, they built a solid foundation as “Nejdeh” juniors. At these Olympics, every point, catch, throw, and baton pass came from junior transfers with two notable exceptions. They were Michelle Hagopian, who came to Boston from her AYF family in Granite City to finish her fantastic AYF Olympic career as the all-time women’s high scorer; and Alexander Avakian, our quiet big man, who joined the chapter last year as a high schooler with a great big smile that you can’t miss at the dances or in the discus circle where he holds the AYF record.
The rest of our team grew up physically, emotionally, and spiritually together as “Nejdeh” juniors. Continual improvement over the past several years, capped by this year’s 197 points validates that our feeder program is working. From this year’s junior transfers like Ani Ouligian, Sena Changelian, Haig Megerdichian, or Hagop Kouchakdjian to our eldest statesman, Kevork Ourfalian, they all contribute. The relationships that our kids created over the years makes a big difference for the team. The personal connections they formed as juniors play a vital role in the outcome. Whether it’s during a competition, cheering from the sideline, or being a willing participant when I tell the kid who just finished running a mile to get ready for the 4 x 400 – meter relay, our kids refuse to let each other down.
Our accomplishments are about more than winning, they are about competing, caring and family. Two outstanding examples are Tamar Kanarian, who has been by my side as an athlete, coach, organizer, line leader at the chapter dance…from the beginning she epitomized the “Nejdeh” spirit. The other excellent example is this year’s conspicuously absent star pentathlete, Vigen Sarkisov. Vigen, one of our most talented athletes, had ACL surgery a couple of weeks before Olympics. He spent his Olympic weekend in Boston supporting our team through text messages. As soon as the track meet was over, he texted me that he was so proud of his teammates.
Another uplifting story is that of Kevork Ourfalian in his final year. After 10 years of competing, he more than anyone, witnessed our team’s transformation and has the reward of retiring on top. As he waited by the stage for the official trophy announcement. He was quoted saying, ‘I feel like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas day.’
Competition wise, so many things went well. Patrice and Eric established team momentum at the swim meet. Between their effort and Michelle winning golf, plus solid swim relays we were in great position heading into Sunday. I knew we would be strong on Sunday as we had talent and depth across the board. We had our share of first place finishers, including Michelle Hagopian and both Anoushs (Krafian and Arakelian) on the women’s side. Vasken Kebabjian, Armen Arakelian, Daniel and Samuel Chakmakjian, Shant Mahrokhian and Alexander Avakian for the men. Seconds, thirds, fourths and relays is where the practice and comradery made a huge difference. Sena learning to throw the javelin two weeks before the Olympics and then placing third in the event. Ani Ouligian’s hard work at practice paid off in the 200, 400 and on a couple of our relays. Anoush Arakelian was a rock running the mile, 800, 400, plus the 4 x 200-meter relay. After persuading Anahis Kechejian to run the hurdles, she finished third. Vasken Kebabjian coming within a seven-tens of a second of having a perfect day. Daron Hamparian and Nairi Krafian competing in seven (pent plus 2 relays) events each on Sunday.
The stories that I remember most as being amusing or inspiring include:
After convincing Shant Mahrokhian that the only thing that stood between him and a 21 foot long jump is having a pair of spikes on his feet, he bought spikes a week before the Olympics. Then he showed up to practice with his brand new spikes and no other running shoes. In order to keep the sprinters together, we decided that they all stay on the infield so they could be together and not have Shant end up with shin splints. Araxi Krafian was a good sport. She triple jumped because I really needed/wanted to have someone in the event. She showed up to the swim meet to support the team and ended up borrowing a suit and jumping in to help our relay. I know she didn’t plan to do 6 events before the weekend started. Daron Hamparian’s amazing 1500m run in the pentathlon came after the official starter left him unprepared, still setting himself in the blocks, for the start of the 200, probably his best event. It was wonderful to see him get back up and crush the last event after being knocked down in that situation. Just a month before the Olympics, I didn’t think my daughter Anoush could run or jump so, in vain, I tried to convince her to swim. But she wanted to stick with track and as it turned out, Anoush swam and ran in all five relays in addition to her three events and was largely responsible for a team high 36 points.
I can go on with stories involving every one of our 37 athletes, but that’s not the real meaning behind our accomplishments. The overriding factor for our kids is their relationships, respect for the organization, and trust in me as a coach. These kids aren’t all great athletes, and athletics is generally not the main reason any of them come to Olympics. Despite that, when I ask one of our members to do something for the team, more often than not they say yes and they do it for each other with enthusiasm.”
Philadelphia
Former Philadelphia star and past Governing Body member, Dave Papazian, started coaching the Sebouhs about a year ago. He gave his thoughts on their second place performance this year:
“I was proud to coach this diverse group of Philly athletes, who I would collectively call tenacious and resilient. The team was disappointed to be down by 25 points to both Greater Boston and New Jersey after Friday’s events, but all I heard from the team was a renewed sense of purpose for Sunday’s games. Even during a tough night for us in the pool, the men won gold in the 4 x 50 freestyle relay and it was clear our depth was our key to success on Sunday. We realized at the track that we not only could finish in the top three, but even second. This created a buzz around the team in anticipation of the relays, which we knew was a strength for both our men and women.
Although we do not have consistent 13-15 point scorers on the roster, it is a team of balance and depth. One of our veterans, Mark Santerian, scored 10 points with an eclectic combo of golf, backstroke and javelin. He also participated in six swim/run relays, leading these teams to three golds and two silvers among those races. Mark is a great AYF member and leader who had a hand in 31 of our points from Friday to Sunday.
The Sarkisian sisters, Jessica and Kelsey, were amazing on Sunday, with a combined 21 points in the pentathlon, as Jessica took the title. Jessica had remarkable consistency through those five events and Kelsey always does better than she claims she will do. Their cousin Aram Keshgegian also spent all summer preparing for his pentathlon, finishing second with another great show of consistency.
Individually on Sunday, we had great performances from distance runner Anto Keshgegian and Masis Mardirosian, who leads our deep group of male sprinters. Rookie Victoria Selverian and second year member Eric Papazian took our only two track golds and each had great relay success.
The Philly team is loaded with leaders, and the two who were there all year were Pete Tashjian and Avi Keshgegian, our President and Central Executive (CE) representative. They helped me organize over the summer and then encouraged and cajoled us to the second place finish. Pete always begins our weekend with a strong golf showing (tying for first this year), and then puts on his ‘teammate hat’ that night at the pool to wear all weekend long. Avi is always willing to do whatever is asked, and he was a key for our winning the 4 x 400 relay. The leadership of our experienced members is the core of our team, and I could not be happier for them all.”
New Jersey
The third place New Jersey Arsens set a chapter scoring record this with over 110 points. They were coached by long time chapter advisor and Olympics King, Mark Alashaian. He shared his thoughts on their performance this year:
“I could not be any prouder of the fact that we had 41 kids register to participate and very few scratches. We had 30 kids show up to play softball. Congratulations to Detroit on their victory in softball and to Greater Boson on their overall victory. Our team is truly a team with veteran leadership and no superstar/recruits. Members like Ara and Garo Sarajian as well as Kyle and Arev Dinkjian showed the way to our many young kids, which included at least seven 16 year olds who were participating for the first time. We had also several 15 year olds begging to participate, but they will wait to make their debuts next year. We are very proud of setting a chapter record with 110.5 points and equally proud of finishing third overall, all while hosting the weekend. All of our kids rolled up their sleeves and worked shifts throughout the weekend. I am very encouraged by the young kids in our chapter and their enthusiasm. Despite the distance, we are hopeful to have a strong turnout next year in Racine.”
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: 2016 AYF Olympics: Coach’s Comments