History Day Take Two

Eli is the defending Minnesota champ in the junior group documentary division for History Day.  Went on to National's last year and placed 8th in the nation.  So what does his younger brother do when assigned to take on a history day project?  Well, he enters in the same category as the defending champ.  Who is hell bent on a repeat.  So we've been watching their film's develop and they are both impressive.  So far so good- both advanced from school to regions, and now regions to state.  But the competition now tightens.  They go head to head- 2 of the 40 or so films vying for the 2 spots that bring a trip to Nationals in DC in the spring. Not a lot of wiggle room.  And they both want it badly.  I love that it encourages them to dig deep and work hard.  But I have a feeling that this is not going to end without tears somewhere.  Maybe just mine, but I kind of doubt that.