The 34th Annual Armenian Summer Games sponsored by the Western Armenian Athletic Association (WAAA) were held June 18-20, 2004 on the campus of Buchanan High School in Clovis, California. Armenian athletes came from all over California with the goal of participating in a sports event for Armenians of all ages. This year’s competition featured track and field, tennis, women’s volleyball and men’s basketball. Fun, fellowship, and good sportsmanship were evident everywhere around the beautiful and spacious facilities.
The co-founder of the WAAA and the Armenian Summer Games, Richard Demirjian was honored at this year’s event. A representative from the office of California State Governor Charles Poochigian presented Mr. Demirjian with a proclamation from the State of California in recognition of his tremendous efforts over the years with this event. A special trophy was awarded to him by the WAAA in recognition of his dedication and hard work for thirty-five years in promoting this unique opportunity for Armenians of all ages, regardless of religious or political affiliation, to come together in sports.
Blue skies and a blazing sun greeted track and field participants as they prepared for competition on the all-weather track. The opening ceremony featured a beautiful and emotional rendition of both the American and Armenian national anthems by Rosa Pashayan. Father Arshen Ayvazian, parish priest of St. Paul Armenian Church of Fresno, offered a meaningful opening prayer. The meet officials, recruited by Dr. Ara Hairabedian, included Red Estes, former head track coach at Fresno State University as the started and Bob Kayajanian as the clerk of the course. Tom Pagnani, former weight coach at Fresno State ran the field events. Assisted by many volunteers, the track and field competition was exciting and eight new Armenian Summer Games records were set.
Record setting sprinters included Avedis Kachadourian, who broke the mark for the 50 meter dash – boys 6 and under division- with a time of 9.40; and Natalie Armo in the 100 meter dash – prep girls division- who was timed in 14.06. Dr. Ed Baker, who has participated in this meet since its inception, traveled half way around the world to again show his athletic ability. He set Senior Men’s division records in the 400 meter run, with a time of 1:18 and ran the 50 meter dash in 8.71 seconds. Not to be outdone, Mickey Kaitangian, another Summer Games veteran, set a record in the 3200 meter run in the Senior Men’s division, coming in at 17:01. Multiple winners on the track included Simone Darakjian and Mher Margosian, with three wins each; and Anna Bohigian, Joey Bohigian, Natalie Armo, Zar Der Mugrdechian, Randal Knar, Ed Baker and Mickey Kaitangian with two wins apiece.
The field events also had their share of records after spirited competition, especially in the younger age divisions. Allen Babayan, a member of the Armenian Bobsled Team, broke his own Armenian-American shot put record with a heave of 61’ 11". Zar Der Mugrdechian, showed her "iron man" status in the Master’s Women division by setting a meet record of 6’ 5" in the long jump and adding a win in the shot put. Others who added field event wins to their track victories included Joey Bohigian, Avedis Kachadourian, Simone Darakjian and Ani Menendian. Alyssa Der Mugrdechian, competing in the Junior Women age group, garnered wins in both the shot put and discus.
The tennis competition was held at the tennis courts at the Buchanan complex. The Master’s division had only a handful of players but the competition was to a very high standard. In the Men’s division, Paul Markarian of Fresno defeated Conway King of the Bay Area. In the Women’s division, Zar Der Mugrdechian of Fresno overcame Nancy Der Mugrdechian of Clovis.
In the Novice division, round robin play was held for both boys and girls. Philip Der Mugrdechian defeated Arman Kalamkarian to win the boy’s championship. Other participants in this age group included Christopher Hokokian and Gregory Melkonian. In the girl’s bracket, Nicole Boudakian defeated Alyssa Der Mugrdechian for the championship. Also participating was Erin Bohigian.
All the players were enthusiastic about playing again next year at the wonderful courts at Buchanan High School. They are looking forward to having more competitors join them in this unique opportunity to play against fellow Armenians.
Women’s Volleyball had a spirited competition in the West Gym at Buchanan High School. Volunteers, like Hovig Artinian, Erin Bohigian, and St. Paul Fresno players and families, along with the WAAA staff, worked together to make the volleyball tournament a great success. Andrea Antranikian undertook the task of coordinating the volleyball tournament. The three teams, although small in number, were big in spirit and talent, which let to some very exciting volleyball games.
A young team from St. Paul Fresno faced fierce competition in the teams from Santa Clara, Ani and Pasadena AGBU. However, Fresno proved that good friends, a big cheering section and lots of laughter can make even the worst loss feel like a win! Santa Clara, Ani was led by two floor shattering hitters who were supported by a flawless defense. Pasadena AGBU proved to be one of the top contenders in putting up a hard fight against the merciless Santa Clara offense.
The Championship Match between Santa Clara and Pasadena, made for an edge of your seat competition that was the best two out of three games. Pasadena was able to upset Santa Clara in the first game, handing them their first defeat of the tournament. In the second game, Santa Clara demonstrated why they were the top and forced a third and deciding game. When the final whistle was blown, Santa Clara emerged the victor and both teams were applauded for their hard fought match.
Six teams made up the field in Men’s Basketball. Games started Friday night in the East Gym between Sassoon #2-Fresno and Team Garni-Fresno; Sassoon #1-Fresno and Homenetmen-San Francisco; Homenmen-Los Angeles and Homenetmen-Santa Clara. Six more games were played Saturday, after which two teams made the Sunday finals: Sassoon #1-Fresno and Homenmen-Los Angeles, each of whom had compiled a 4-0 record in the preliminary rounds. Arthur Adjemian poured in 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to power Sassoon #1-Fresno over Los Angeles Homenmen.
The High School boy’s basketball teams were just as competitive. Play started Friday night in the West Gym, with St. Paul –Fresno against Sassoon-Fresno; St.Vartan-Oakland against Homenmen-Glendale. On Saturday, four more games were played with two teams compiling a 2-1 record, and advancing to Sunday’s championship; Sassoon-Fresno and St.Paul-Fresno. In a closely contested match, Sassoon-Fresno defeated St.Paul-Fresno 37-33 for the championship. Sassoon’s Arek Santikian tallied a team high 12 points and Greg Oganesian had a game high 18 points in a losing cause for St. Paul-Fresno.