Redefining Winning: A Coach's Perspective

By Coach Justin Davie, Wapsie Valley High School

We celebrate winners, often valuing talent over effort. We love underdog stories—but only if they end in victory. Let’s be honest: Rudy wouldn’t be a movie if Rudy hadn’t suited up for that final game and made a tackle. Without that moment, his story would be largely forgotten, just one of thousands of walk-ons who never saw the spotlight.

If I asked you to define "winning," most people would probably say something like: scoring more points, running faster, or shooting a lower score. How many, though, would answer with ideas like: trying your best, playing hard, and being a great teammate?

In the eyes of some, "winners" care only about the scoreboard. To them, focusing on effort or character is just something "losers" do. But in reality, all of this is winning.

The Journey to Coaching Cross Country

Seven years ago, I became the cross country coach at Wapsie Valley High School. The job wasn’t exactly a long-term dream; the school didn’t have a coach, and the season was starting in a week. Having coached track for years, I stepped up because the athletes needed someone.

That experience taught me a lot—not just about the sport but also about the meaning of success.

Winning Beyond the Scoreboard

In sports, winning is undeniably important. It’s how teams are judged. It’s what spectators cheer for. It’s what we coaches train for. Winning has a formula: do A + B + C, and you get victory. Athletes who want to win often adopt a specific mindset—they carry themselves with confidence, push through challenges, and hold themselves accountable.

But if you asked coaches why they truly coach, most wouldn’t focus solely on the scoreboard. Instead, they’d talk about things like teaching athletes to work hard, strive for their potential, support their teammates, and grow as people. These are the life lessons that extend far beyond a game, a meet, or a season.

I call this "winning at it."

Winning at It

Winning at it means pursuing excellence in every area—effort, attitude, and teamwork—not just the final result. It’s about learning to compete with integrity, resilience, and purpose.

Yes, we celebrate champions, and we should. But the greatest victories often happen in moments that aren’t reflected on a scoreboard. They happen when a struggling runner sets a new personal best, when an athlete cheers for a teammate even after a tough loss, or when a player shows courage in adversity.

Coaches play a crucial role in shaping how athletes define winning. Our job is to prepare them for competition, but it’s also to prepare them for life. We must remind them that true success isn’t just about points, times, or scores—it’s about character, effort, and heart.

So, let’s keep celebrating winners. Let’s admire those who persevere, like Rudy. But let’s also celebrate those who strive, who support their team, and who give their all—no matter the outcome. Because when you "win at it," you’ve already won.

Final Thoughts

Winning isn’t everything. But pursuing it with integrity, effort, and joy—that’s where the real victory lies.