What would you do if you won NATIONALS?!

**GFan** · 04-12-2009, 03:35 PM

So I wanted to bring this forum back to life and I had a really interesting scenario play in my head.. so everyone, pretend (if you aren't already) an underclassman, who will still participate in forensics AFTER Nationals.

What if you won NATIONALS in your own event this summer?

Would you continue that same event? Would you change it at nats(a la Karen Joshi, Anthony Francomacaro)?

Do you think the pressure would be higher for you with each performance at any meet (local, regional, state, National, etc.) because people would expect a lot from the "HI Champion" or the "Oratory Champion?" Would you compete less because of that -- since you wouldn't want others to think that you shouldn't have won, or even stop competing at all since the trophies at local meets just aren't as good as your national championship one?

Would you rely on "just being a national champ" to help get you through to break rounds? Would that help? Would you be seen as a normal competitor anymore?

So much stress comes from winning, me thinks (if you're not a senior).

What would YOU do?!

I'm curious to see the answers, especially from competitors I know who happen to be juniors this year and are going to Nationals.

**MPHS_IE_Hoke** · 04-12-2009, 05:33 PM

I honestly have no clue what I would do.

It's like for the tournament Blue Key. After winning DI this past year, I really don't know if I wanna do DI at Blue Key next year cause of the pressure to do well again. But I really don't know what I would do if I won nationals.

**brandonbatham** · 04-12-2009, 07:16 PM

If anyone wins Nationals in Extemp, they should get a custom-made solid gold extemp cart with their name engraved on it. That would be EPIC.

**Tyfanman** · 06-05-2009, 01:08 PM

I think I would change the even. For me personally that would mean I've done well enough in that event so why try again. If you dont win it will just dissapoint. So I would probably do a different event.

**iluvrascalflatts** · 06-05-2009, 01:44 PM

If I won Nats in anything I would cry, scream, laugh, scream, brag to my now-ex-duo partner (JK

), freak out...
Then I would get online and to a bookstore and frantically try to find a follow-up piece that would be just as good.... which would be stressful...

**tyrif138** · 06-05-2009, 02:56 PM

Explode...

**Interp<3** · 06-05-2009, 03:33 PM

Hrm... Well, I would try something diffrent I think. It's like, you already won the biggest tournament in the nation, so... you should try something new!

Oh, and if I won, I think my heart would stop beating. I wouldn't be able to move. Or, I just wouldn't realize I'd just won nationals, and it wouldn't hit me until like, the ride back to the hotel, when I would start FREAKING out.

**dlewis2032** · 06-05-2009, 03:42 PM

Well i know that feeling.

I am Davante Lewis i won Dec at NCFL last year. The pressure was definitely on me from peers,family, and my school. Since i couldn't coompete in Dec. I made OO my top event this year. I didnt even break. Everyone assumed that because i won last year i was supposed to break. They Pressure is really on you. I felt this whole year that i had to do 10 times better.

**Interp<3** · 06-05-2009, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by dlewis2032

Well i know that feeling.

I am Davante Lewis i won Dec at NCFL last year. The pressure was definitely on me from peers,family, and my school. Since i couldn't coompete in Dec. I made OO my top event this year. I didnt even break. Everyone assumed that because i won last year i was supposed to break. They Pressure is really on you. I felt this whole year that i had to do 10 times better.

I don't even know you, but I'm sure you're an amazing OO'er. Don't feel pressure, I'm sure tons of people have a large amount of respect for you, you won nationals for god sakes! I know I have tons of respect for anyone who even breaks at nationals, let alone WIN the entire thing!