I used to think the same as you do, that i could never compete with more experienced players. Now i've realiced (looking at the spanish pantheon) that it's a matter of time to get the skills you need to actually have a chance to beat them.
Once you get that skills it just deppends on odds, i mean the objects you find during the quest. For example, if you can get a money bag and you manage to keep it the more levels the better you're gonna reach amazing scores.
Just keep it up and don't step back!
You're not the only one in this situation and i don't see anyone else complaining like you. All players in level 1 have symilar scores so any of them could actually get the first place, not just you.
