TIps for getting into ICDC in DECA?

An upcoming junior, I really love finance and business and really enjoy doing DECA- I’m a bit to the competitive side though, so I’m disappointed by my performance (top 8 regionals 9th grade, top 8 regionals 10th grade, 9th place state 10th grade). I know these are generally good results, I just really want to make it to top 4 in states next year to qualify for internationals- does anyone have any tips? Also, I heard that DECA EC’s don’t matter unless you go to ICDC- though I have always been doing DECA for passion than college, this is a bit worrisome- is it true?