The Western Armenian Athletic Association and the Armenian Church Youth Organization co-hosted the 39th Annual Armenian Summer Games at Clovis North High School over the Memorial Day weekend. An expanded sports offering included competition in track and field, basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, backgammon, ping-pong and tennis, and were presided over by WAAA president Van Der Mugrdechian.
The Armenian Summer Games were co-founded by Richard N. Demirjian and the late Ben Morjig, to celebrate their combined love of Armenian heritage and athletics. Starting in 1969 at Chabot College in Hayward, Demirjian serving as the event organizer became the first president of the WAAA and Morjig, as vice-president of the AAU, provided high profile officials for the Games. The only requirement to participate in the Games is to be of one-quarter Armenian descent.
This year’s games featured a full field in each sport and resulted in some very competitive action. Opening round games started Friday night with a full slate of games on Saturday, culminating with Championship games on Sunday afternoon.
Track and field participants ranged in age from 2 ½ year old Lauren Curiel of Corona, CA to 75 year old Mickey Kaitangian of Fresno who has participated in every Summer Games since it began. Meet records were set by Lauren Simonian, Peter Simonian, Lena Kizirian, Mike Vartanian, Max Hairabedian, Aram Rutledge and Claire Vandiver. Complete results are on our website: armeniansummergames.com
The Men’s Basketball High School division crown was won by St. John, San Diego, with St. Mary, Costa Mesa in second, followed by third place to St. Vartan, Oakland.
In the Men’s Basketball Open division first place was captured by St. Gregory, Pasadena B team over St. Peter, Van Nuys, with St. Gregory, Fowler taking third place.
The women’s volleyball competition was won by St. Peter, Van Nuys defeating St. John, San Diego. Third place went to St. Mary, Costa Mesa.
Backgammon winners included first place by Kevin Kestekian, second place to Nathan and third place to Aleksan Giragosian. Ping-pong was also highly contested with first place going to Mark Prior, second to Gregg Keledgian and third to Thomas Saraydarian.
Tennis, under the direction of Zar Der Mugrdechian, resulted in Zhora Poghosyan defeating Sarkis Nalian for first place in the men’s division and Alexis Abdulian defeating Vartouhy Nalian in the women’s division. Der Mugrdechian said, “The past few years we’ve had a few more tennis players, but the competition has always been good in both the men’s and women’s divisions.”
This is the third or fourth time attending the event for Nalian, who attends a tennis class at Mesa College in San Diego. He signed up for the Summer Games through the ACYO, his youth group at St. John Armenian Church in San Diego.
Track and field was one of the original sports for the Games. Some of the most loyal competitors include the Vartanian family, who have come to the Games for over 35 years. 19 year old Danny Vartanian is a collegiate athlete at Fresno State and ran the two mile, mile and half mile runs this weekend. His mother of 49 ran the two mile with him and his father of 50 ran the half mile, showing their dedication both to the sport and the Games.
Mike Vartanian said of the event, “We like seeing all the Armenians, it’s a traditional thing. You don’t see anything like this, you know, so you want to participate so that hopefully the event will keep going and encourage more people to do it. We just want to participate and support the WAAA, “he said, “We started running way back when. We try to get here every year that we can, I don’t run that much but Danny and Diane run all the time.” Diane Vartanian said that she ranked in the world top ten for long distance running when she was in her teens and still runs marathons, though not competitively.
Red Estes, a former Fresno State Cross Country and Track Coach has been officiating at the Games since they moved to Fresno. Estes has been a part of track and field since he was 10 years old and has been involved in every aspect of the sport for 62 years since then. He retired in 2000 but still volunteers around the Valley at track and field meets. He explained why he helps out.
“Track and field has traditionally been a sport where you have to have many volunteers” Estes said, “and without them you don’t have the sport. So I’ve always felt that I have to give back to the sport that’s given me 62 years of pleasure, fun, and even a living.”
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, is the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and supervised the ACYO chapters participating in the Armenian Summer Games. He noted that the Games benefit the younger generation, both ethically and religiously.
“There are many ways where the youth benefit from these activities,” Derderian said. “One of the most important things is for the youth to grow in God, because this (ACYO) is a religious organization. We want to make sure they all stay close to the Church.”
“But, “said Derderian, “that also gives them another important encouragement, which is making new friends. People coming from different communities need to get to know each other. When they meet one another, and they realize that there are others like them who are working in the Church, it gives them pride, it gives them spiritual strength.”
Liana Gregorians, a member of the Central Council of the ACYO, helped organize the weekend said. “It’s a great time to get together in fellowship and faith, it’s a great opportunity to make new friends and have fun at the same time.”
Raffi Postaldjian, another member of the Central Council, added that “I think this event could be bigger. There are so many Armenian groups out there and the whole point of events like this is to bring them together, meet new people and create those bonds.”
The 39th Annual Armenian Summer Games were well attended with over 300 participating athletes, cheered on by many family and friends. In addition to the sports activities, attendees could partake of the delicious Summer Games picnic on Saturday and attend the Youth Dance Saturday night and the gala Awards Banquet on Sunday.
Everyone is looking forward to an even bigger and better Summer Games in 2011.