Hey,
So in the coming spring, I have a pretty important choice to make. So I do debate and recently just qualified for the Tournament of Champions in April. However, I also play tennis in the spring. In the spring there are also a couple of other important debate tournaments such as States, Districts(qualifier for Nationals), TOCs, and NCFLs(National Catholic Forensic League tournament). Realistically, I believe I could do well at either States and NCFLs but not Districts or TOCs. I essentially have to choose between tennis and debate this spring. If I played tennis, I would most likely make varsity and play doubles. If I did do tennis, I would still continue to do debate next year but would miss out on these important tournaments that could give me recognition. There are other factors that make the situation even more complex, but from a college admission stand point, what would be better? Doing a sport while continuing debate at a somewhat mediocre level or doing debate solely but with the possibility to do well at important and prestigious tournaments? I understand that the college aspect shouldn’t have a lot of bearing on my decision, but it will play at least a minor role.
Any input is appreciated.
Can someone please respond? I am really conflicted.
my S is having literally the same dilemma right now! Let me ask a few questions;
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are you a junior now?
have you been both playing tennis & being on debate team about the same amount of years?
have you accumulated enough debate wins that you can show up for the nationals without having to do a lot more state/local tournaments?
are there other kids on debate teams who are in sports? how did they juggle?
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my kid decided to do both…not an elegant solution but he tried out for varsity team, made it, and doesn’t want to give up debate…in his case, he made the fall his debate season…now that winter is here, he’s ratcheted back on debate (just a bit…he’ll see you at CatNats 
and is back to tennis…
If you can, stick with both.
@SouthernHope
Yes I am a junior now
Yes I have been doing both activities for the same amount in high school.
Yes, I am qualified for NCFLs already.
There are kids who do debate and sports, but the problem is that they either haven’t done as well in debate or are not varsity level athletes.
I think that I really cannot stick with both especially with school work, which is why I am trying to get as much input as possible. I can obviously still continue debate in the fall and winter of next year though. Thanks for your help!
Do whichever one you enjoy more.
Would your coach let you come to games and practices that don’t conflict with debate if you promise to practice outside of your meetings? If so do both. Otherwise, I’d do debate (esp if I was good), and you can just do rec tennis later in the summer if you so desire to be on a team. Best of luck!
@viewthroughkohl0
My school has a very strict athletic policy so I wouldn’t be able to do that, so it really does come down to a straight up choice. I a kind of leaning towards debate but my parents think otherwise. Thanks you for the input!
What are your parents suggesting?
@austinmshauri
My parents are suggesting tennis because they think it would be better for my health and for college. I am not completely sure about the college part but I do agree with the health part. However, I think that I won’t become extremely unhealthy if I do debate.
Leaving aside your parents’ opinion, and your coaches’, and college admissions for a minute – which one do you like more?
@austinmshauri
The reason I am leaning towards debate is because I think I like debate more. I do not enjoy tennis all that much when I a playing alone, but when I am with my team and coach, they actually make it one of the enjoyable things of my life. So it is a weird question. Consistently I like debate more, but tennis during the spring on the season is probably more enjoyable. However, I have only recently started doing very well at debate, and each time I do better I enjoy debate even more. So it is a complicated answer.