We hope you read the lead story in our sports section on Wednesday.
Sports Editor Jim Green reported on the seven Clayton High School athletes who won sportsmanship awards for their positive attitudes on their respective teams.
Janna Arnold (volleyball), Dylan Turner (football), Lauren Bizzell (tennis), William Booth (soccer), Claudia Woznichak (girls' cross country), Jessica Twitchell (golf) and Charles Drian (boys' cross country) were Clayton's sportsmanship winners as named recently by the Greater Neuse River Conference.
They weren't all the on-field stars you expect to read about in a community newspaper's sports section from week to week.
But we contend they are representative of what is good about sports.
They represent the notion that it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
For athletes who play today, winning is important. It should be. There is an expectation of any athlete - just as there is with any student - that maximum effort will be expended on each play and in each game and practice.
But it is infinitely more important that young athletes respect the contributions of others; and that they build up their teammates and don't try to tear down their opponents.
Since most of us will never earn a living with our athletic abilities, it stands to reason that learning good sportsmanship and making the most of being part of a team are lifeskills that will serve us much better and far longer than a lightning serve or a smooth putting stroke.
So if you missed Wednesday's story, we hope you will pick up that issue again, or read it on our website.
If you cross paths with one of those winners, let them know you're happy they won.
And, always remember that, despite everyone's most intense desire to win, being a good sport is even more important.
