Thomas Dale girls wrestler Elise Davis pursuing her dreams on the mat
CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Girls and wrestling might not be synonymous to most, but Thomas Dale High School Sophomore Elise Davis might just change your mind. Having recently finished her 6th year of wrestling, Elise has walked away with many wins this season.聽 On February 27th, 2022 Elise won 1st place at the Virginia Wrestling Association State Folk Style Championship in the Women鈥檚 High School Division. One week later on March 6th, 2022 she took 1st place again at The Battle of the Braids tournament in Orange, VA.
Even though wrestling has historically been a male dominated sport, Elise doesn鈥檛 let that interfere with her dreams of pursuing wrestling at a collegiate level.聽 She has her sights set to wrestle for Liberty University after high school for their Women鈥檚 Folk Style club.聽 What has she learned the last 6 years wrestling in this male dominated sport?
She says 鈥済irls can do just what boys can do as long as you work hard.聽 Crying makes you look weak, so you need to have determination and focus on the sport more than anything else. Wrestling is an individual sport, but I know I鈥檓 never alone on the mat.鈥�
When asked 鈥淲hat do you love most about your sport?鈥�, her reply is simple: The team community.聽 According to Elise, the pain and work associated with the practices, meets, wins and loses 鈥渃reates a true family within the sport through coaches, teammates and parents鈥�.
Being part of the wrestling community has taught her what it means to be a part of a team, and how that involvement can differ from one match to the next.聽 Whether you鈥檙e on the sidelines supporting another team member or praying as a team before the match even starts, being on the same page with your team is of utmost importance.
The right mindset is so important to a wrestler.聽 Elise says that she used to let her emotions get into her head and infiltrate her thoughts, but has learned how to set her emotions aside before any competitions. When the odds are stacked against you, controlling your emotions is paramount in a wrestler鈥檚 toolbox.聽 Through the years as she has grown and improved, one comment recently made to her by a coach has stuck out to her.聽 Referring to her recent state wins, he said 鈥淓lise, you had all the odds stacked against you and you still did all of this鈥�.聽 This confirmed that in the face of struggle, even in a seemingly impossible situation, she can still succeed.
The wrestling mat isn鈥檛 the only place you鈥檒l find Elise.聽 An active member of Thomas Dales 鈥淜nightengales鈥� competitive show choir, Elise is currently competing against other local show choirs for the Spring.聽 You might also find her on the soccer field as she is currently playing soccer for Thomas Dale JV team.聽 Running, cooking and baking, lifting weights, cheering or attending her church youth group are a few of her other favorite pastimes to participate in.
Asked if she had a parting thought she said 鈥淚 would encourage any females to get into whatever sport they are interested in. You will always have people in your corner and with a rapidly growing community, there will be more opportunities to pursue your dreams鈥�
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.