Why would you name your organization US FIRST if you didn't intend to win a competition of some sort?
While the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology has clearly changed over the past 21 years, I think competition is a perfectly healthy and rather important component of the program. It's unfortunate that some of the teams that really get it get dragged through the mud annually, but I perennial champions in any sport get the same sort of treatment. If Lance Armstrong didn't have 7 yellow jerseys, would he be accused of using steroids? If Micheal Phelps didn't win 8 gold medals, would he be accused of steroid use? If the New England Patriots didn't keep winning Superbowl titles in the early 2000s, would they be accused of all sorts of rule breaking? Aren't the Yankees disliked because they've won the World Series too many times?
I think it unfortunately comes with being an elite athlete, engineer, FIRST team, etc. People don't like to lose, but whining is a whole lot easier than training harder, studying more, or spending your off-season prototyping.