There are elements of chance in these games.
Referees can miss crossings.
Things can happen on the field that cause field faults and replays.
People can suffer from miscommunication.
The idea that the 3 teams that win got there purely because of superior effort is unrealistic.
So therefore the top few teams deserve recognition especially since they come, pay and play.
I don't know if everyone is a winner: but if your team makes it towards the end you probably did most things at least as well as the rest and had some luck on your side. I have seen teams with serious problems in their robot make it to the end game and even win.
If the Einstein report from years ago says anything: it says that robots that win at the Championship can still have unsolved issues.
In the end if you manage to actually field a robot and learned anything you really are a winner.
I've seen FRC parts being used in Master/Doctors college classes: our 'average' is well above
the average.
(I'm sorry Batman, you can't lift Manhattan, you are just second rate hero to Superman. Saving lives is obviously less important than an island bench press competition.
)