Scripps National Spelling Bee 2012: Sport Is a Breeding Ground of Clutchness
Spelling bee-er’s inhale pressure and exhale clutchness.
On Wednesday May 30th, the most-skilled spellers from around the globe will gather to one location on the planet—the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
A failure to witness the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee would ruin your life, but have no fear—ESPN has you covered from the preliminaries to the Finals. Brace yourself to not only witness an army of marching human dictionaries, but at the same time, a collection of the clutchest competitors known to mankind.
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Perhaps the contestant with the most jaw-dropping killer instinct of them all is Lori Anne Madison.
Jeremy Borden of the Washington Post reported that the Bee’s youngest competitor ever will enter the event at the stunning age of six. But does the sport’s grandest stage intimidate Madison? Not in the slightest as she said (via Boston Globe): ‘‘I just do as much as I can. I don’t stress out about it. Plus, I'm 6. I can always go back next year.’’
Ladies and gentlemen, remember the name.
Michael Jordan? Joe Montana? Jack Nicklaus?
Ha!
What did that trio accomplish compared to Madison? A competitor five times younger than them, she will enter the Spelling Bee without a hint of fright. With all eyes on her, she’ll embrace the moment and rise to the occasion.
If Madison loses, will she plummet into a great depression like LeBron James and Derrick Rose did when their NBA Finals dreams were crushed last year? Not a chance in the world. Madison will keep her head held high because she knows that she is a force to be reckoned with.
Now, is Madison the lone elite emulator that will reign supreme this week? Hardly. She will be joined by 277 worthy adversaries.
That group—that army—was born coldblooded. And they will showcase the firepower from the arsenal that is their brain, to the world.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
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