Possible Clues:

• Made a disadvantage into an advantage
• Shifted an advantage, and what we’ve done in this puzzle’s circles
• Reversed an unfavorable situation, and what you did in the theme answers
• Went from being picked on to picking on, say
• Made a comeback, say
• Article by journalist in places where records go completely reversed the position
• Regained one's winning status ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters
• Came from behind
• Reversed circumstances
• The clever busboy ...