By Jim Painter

For the Sidney Daily News

SIDNEY — In most cases, the time-tested nursery rhyme regarding what little boys and little girls are made of is correct.

Most have heard, and most parents will agree, that boys are made of “snips and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails” with girls consisting of “sugar and spice, and everything nice”.

While that may be whimsically true, it’s the individual’s true determination that will lead them to their level of success.

A Sidney girl entering middle school this fall will take to the wrestling mat already a force in the national championship scene. Her goal is Olympic gold.

Josie Davis, who turned 12 in December, qualified as an alternate for the USA Schoolgirls Pam American Team for ages 12-14. Her second-place finish at the U.S. Olympics-sponsored tournament in Irving, Texas, earned her the possible opportunity to represent the U.S. in Santiago, Chile, Aug. 17-19.

If the tournament winner from Wisconsin cannot, or chooses not, to compete, Davis would be offered the opportunity in South America. Davis was the youngest girl to compete in the weight class.

A main goal for the 10-time All-American wrestler is to earn a full ride college scholarship in wrestling, and to get a shot at the 2020 Olympic team.

The 86-pound ponytailed wrestler played affectionately with the family’s new puppy, 7-week-old Tank, as she and her parents, Jeff and Dawn Davis, spoke with the Sidney Daily News recently.

She interspersed her desire for country and hip-hop music styles, maintaining friendships and social interactions, and honor holl academic achievements along with comments about making weight for wrestling matches, maintaining a healthy diet and intense exercise program, and a lack of desire to watch television. Focused and determined appear to be her personality mainstays.

Most meeting Davis for the first time would not think that she started wrestling in second grade and continued through sixth grade for the Sidney Youth Wrestling program. She was the first girl to participate in the established K-6 program, defeating mostly male counterparts along the way.

Since that time, Davis has captured multiple championships throughout the country. She is a four-time Ohway Girls state champion, two-time NUWAY Girls National champion, three-time Great Lakes champion in Fort Wayne, Ind., two-time Viper Pit Girls champion in Wheeling, W. Va., 2017 PENNWAY Girls state champion in Pennsylvania, two-time fourth place finisher at USA Girls Folk Style Championships in Oklahoma, and 2017 USA Women’s Freestyle Championships runner-up in Texas.

If plans stay in place, Davis will compete with boys weighing in from 95 to 100 pounds for the Sidney Middle School team.

The desire to wrestle was literally an environmental process. Being the youngest of four children, her brother employed the average family younger, smaller sibling food chain law while watching professional wrestling on TV.

“They used to throw each other around when watching the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in the basement. That’s where it all started,” said Jeff Davis, a wrestling coach for 16 years.

Her oldest sister, Tessa Laing, 24, of Lafayette, found success being on cheerleading squads. However, wrestling has been an integral part of the rest of the family for many years.

Josie’s brother Cody, now 24, of Sidney, began wrestling in second grade. He was two-time league champion at Sidney and selected Most Valuable Wrestler.

Beau, 14, began wrestling at three years of age, with their father coaching. Josie used to tag along to practices and would inevitably find her way into the action on the mat.

Dawn Davis said when Josie was eight years old and watching Beau at a tournament in Greenville, she told her mother she wanted to try wrestling.

Both parents said red flags went up as this desire caught fire. What if the boys injured her? What if she was humiliated on the mat? What would her friends think?

Jeff said, “We just decided to let her give it a try. If she didn’t like it, then she can still say she tried what she wanted to do.”

Josie struggled at first, but over time the determination began to drive her, the Davises said.

In 2012, Josie began training and wrestling with the Shore Sports Club in St. Paris, operated by Tracie and George Shore. Through the club, Davis has been on the Ohio Girls National Team for the past four years.

Jeff Davis said the Shore family is well known by coaches at the 40 colleges currently offering women’s wrestling as a scholarship sport. With such colleges growing in numbers, he said Josie has a great shot at earning an education through wrestling.

Such activity does have its costs, according the Jeff and Dawn. Families must cover all their transportation, housing, entry fees and food costs to enter the tournaments. Dawn said carpooling, driving in caravans, and staying together in the same hotels has created a supportive family atmosphere that eases such pains.

The family has been involved in fundraising efforts and greatly appreciate donations they have received over the years. Both parents agree that helping Josie reach her goals has enhanced their family’s life.

Josie employs a hip toss maneuver to place her opponents on the mat, many times resulting in a pin. Dawn is in charge oftaking photographs and shooting video of her daughter’s matches. (Several are posted on the Sidney Daily News online version).

Jeff and Dawn said they are far past the thoughts of a girl wrestling against boys. Over the years, several boys have refused to wrestle her due to gender, but her reputation as a good wrestler is well-known.

“I know she doesn’t think anything about it. She walks out there to win, and that’s all,” said Jeff. “Other wrestlers know that she is serious, and know when they step out there she is going to do everything to win.”

The Davises are seeking support to create a girls state wrestling tournament. They claim recognition of their participation in the sport is growing. Other states hold tournaments where all female wrestlers would venture to a single girl’s tournament to determine state champions.

One of the Davis family trophy rooms clearly displays the athletic achievements of the children. Several large trophies depicting an eagle with its wings spread sport Josie’s name.

In a symbolic look at the growth of girls’ wrestling, and its public acceptance and understanding, a model replica of a battle sword won at a tournament in the Viper’s Pit was displayed next to a small tiara. The dainty headpiece was presented to Josie early in her career.

Jeff Davis said, “People know how good Josie is. And they know she means business. You can see it in her eyes.”