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AYF-YOARF Holds Successful 74th Annual Senior Olympic Games

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  • AYF-YOARF Holds Successful 74th Annual Senior Olympic Games

    Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
    80 Bigelow Ave
    Watertown, MA 02472
    Tel. (617) 923-1933
    Fax (617) 924-1933
    www.ayf.org


    PRESS RELEASE
    Contact: Dzovig Essajanian
    (617) 923-1933
    September 24, 2007


    AYF-YOARF Holds Successful 74th Annual Senior Olympic Games

    WATERTOWN, Mass - From August 30 to September 3, Armenians and AYF
    athletes gathered in Seacaucus, NJ for the 74th annual Armenian Youth
    Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
    (AYF-YOARF) senior Olympic Games. The event saw an overall strong
    participation from 12 chapters and 206 athletes.

    This year's event began with a moonlit cruise with views of the New
    York City skyline and bridges. Over 250 Armenians from across the
    United States gathered to start the weekend by celebrating in the city
    that welcomed so many Armenian immigrants many years ago. As usual,
    the competition began early on Friday morning with golf and tennis
    tournaments. Dedicated AYF athletes swung through the events with
    tenacity with Philadelphia's Taleen Yeremian and New Jersey's Yero
    Saponjian coming out on top in the tennis tournament.

    Friday night brought a great highlight to this year's games with the
    swimming competition being held for the first time in a while at an
    outdoor pool facility. While the rain held off for a great night of
    competition, Providence's Lynne Tutunjian and Philadelphia's Daniel
    Kaiserian both swept through their events with three gold medals to
    become two of the weekend's many high scorers. On the social side,
    Friday night saw the return of singer Harout Pamboukjian, with a large
    crowd enjoying his music and entertainment throughout the night.
    Also, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, over 700 AYF alumni and friends
    gathered for a wonderful evening of camaraderie and fun.

    The Saturday softball tournament was played on two fields at Overpeck
    Park. Throughout the day teams such as Philadelphia, New Jersey, New
    York, Chicago and Boston were eliminated ending in a repeat Providence
    win. Along with the softball games, this year children were invited
    to participate in a series of kickball games. To conclude the day, the
    Aravod Ensemble lead the evening festivities held at the Sheraton
    Meadowlands Hotel.

    On Sunday, 12 chapters gathered to march in the opening ceremonies.
    This year the track and field events turned out to be one of the most
    successful the AYF has seen. Amongst the many highlights was Samantha
    Essian's record breaking 100-meter hurdle run. A weekend of
    competition ended at the grand ball with the announcement of the
    winners. Philadelphia won by a land slide with 272 points with
    Providence in second with 137.5 points. This year's most improved
    chapter award went to the New York Hyortik chapter. Men's high scorers
    included Philadelphia's Daniel Kaiserian and Emmanuel Mkrtchian. The
    women's high scorers were Michelle Hagopian, Samantha Essian, Sevan
    Makhoulian Taleen Yeremian, and Lynne Tutunjian. The winners of the
    Ernest Nahigian Sportsmanship award were Armen Saryan and Vartan
    Mardirosian.

    Monday morning capped off the weekend with a picnic at the hotel with
    entertainment by the Mike Gostanian Ensemble band. "The New Jersey AYF
    and Armenian community did an amazing job planning the AYF Senior
    Olympics as a true athletic competition and family affair,' said
    AYF-YOARF Central Executive member Anthony Deese, `It is our hope that
    the steering committee for the upcoming Detroit Senior Olympics will
    follow in their footsteps and ensure the continued success of the East
    Coast's premier Armenian social / athletic event."

    For more information, visit www.ayf.org or call the AYF Eastern Region
    office at (617) 923-1933.
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