Last week, the camp I work at held a Survivor themed week– Tiki Torches, challenges and war paint included.

Each day was more competitive than the last, and my campers were excited. As counselor and leader of the blue tribe (read: a bunch of 5-year-old campers clad in blue), I arrived on Friday ready to compete in the Gauntlet, a small obstacle course with different challenges to complete along the way.

Before the week even began, we had a staff meeting about how to approach losing throughout the week. Our directors told us that the competition is about sportsmanship and learning that even when you don’t win, there is value in having played the game at all. There was going to be one winner and five losers. The campers would decide how to handle the outcome.

For little legs, it was quite an endeavor. We came in fourth place – there were no consolation prizes and no participation trophies. We handled it by congratulating the other tribes as loudly as possible and roared as if we were champions. That day, we were not the fastest and we were not the best. But we cheered for our friends who were.

And in the world beyond camp, the principles of good sportsmanship hold true as well.

American pride was also at a fever pitch when the United States played Germany in the World Cup on Thursday. #IBelieveThatWeWillWin trended on Twitter and patriotism spiked.

Then, we lost.

It was heartbreaking. But the players shook hands in mutual respect and congratulated one another on a battle well fought.

This is not to say, however, that one must must be excited about losing. It’s tough in any situation, whether you’re a professional soccer player playing in the World Cup, or a 5-year-old running the Gauntlet.

But, to those who might be tempted to sulk or pout, I offer this analogy. I don’t pretend to be an avid football fan, but even I know UT’s football program hasn’t had a good season in years.

Yet, instead of vowing revenge or giving up, Butch Jones is rebuilding the team ‘brick-by-brick.’ It’s that simple; put on a brave face and try harder.

So perhaps being a good sport is more than a high-five and a handshake at the end of a game. It is knowing that you were not the best today. It is finding the drive to improve despite disappointment. It is acknowledging how much something matters to you and choosing to try again.

You only lose when you don’t come back next year. To be a great winner, you have to be an even better loser.

Katrina Roberts is a rising junior in English. She can be reached at [email protected].