I have to say, I am one of those fortunate people who is never in contention for a buckle or any award ... I am certainly trying to get faster, climb through the ranks etc. In fact, at the 2016 PA State Match, I think I was doing pretty well in the standings going into day 2, but I had 4 misses on one stage, that was enough to completely take me out of the running for anything. I tend to like it this way though. I have the name tag from the match, which would be the "participation souvenir" but to get a buckle, you had to be overall I believe, and to get a plaque, you had to be in I think the top 3. I like the name tag as a souvenir and I have my memories from the match, new friends etc. I was upset with myself from those misses, but that is how you get better. If I had gotten an award just for being in the category, I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much because there were other competitors that didn't have those problems.
I think it goes to a bigger philosophy anyway and I disagree with participation awards. I am 31, and not long ago, you didn't receive a trophy or award unless you did something to deserve it, and showing up wasn't the thing you did to deserve an award. I think it is setting up people for failure in the long run for coddling them. As for the matches that give out buckles for being there, that is pretty sweet to remember the match, but I hope there is a better award for the actual winners of the match. Something to set them apart.