It's strange the things young athletes do in competitive situations. My son runs track in high school, and I've had the pleasure of watching some great meets. In our area, track and field coaches and parents are collaborative and supportive of each other and the athletes, regardless of school affiliation. People get to know the athletes in the region, and it's a great environment for kids learning to compete properly.
One runner at a different school was very good at her middle-distance events. At most league meets she blew away the field. It was clear that most people respected her for the amount of work she put in, and how for strongly she ran. However, at sectionals she was no longer the best on the track. On the final lap she was competing fiercely to fend off another runner, who was creeping up on her down the stretch. It was going to be close at the line. The crowd was cheering, and the atmosphere was really great. These girls were fighting for a position that was unimportant for advancement to the next meet, but that didn't matter. They're kids, and seeing them compete fairly and with vigor is why most of us are there in the first place. Anyway, this runner senses the other girl coming up on the outside, and she must have known she was about to be passed. As they approached the line, the runner in front put her arm out to bar the other girl from passing. There was an audible gasp from the crowd, and I saw her father shake his head.
Kids do dumb things sometimes, it's true. But if we're going to treat kids differently when they compete, they shouldn't compete with adults. They should compete in an environment where they're being taught how to compete.
