Growing up with three older siblings has its challenges and advantages.
For Jake Tenney, some tough love taught him that nobody will give him an inch when it comes to competitive sports. Tenney has three older sisters: Tiffany, McKenzie and Tori.
“They are the best siblings I could ask for,” Tenney said. “Being able to go to the turf with them. Seeing all the hard work they put in to be good athletes.”
All three sisters had decorated careers playing at the Woodward Complex at Mahar Regional before moving on to collegiate athletics — all with young Jake watching from the stands.
Tiffany Tenney closed out her track & field career last May at Springfield College with a Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III championship in the 400-meter dash.
McKenzie Tenney is a full-time starter for the Fitchburg State soccer team going into her senior season next fall.
Tori Tenney just finished her freshman season for the Mount Holyoke soccer team, playing in 12 games for the Lyons.
Then there is the baby brother who is now in the spotlight in Orange during his junior season.
Growing up in the Tenney household, Jake had superior competition right at home to help build for his athletic career with the Senators.
“They were always pushing me,” Tenney said. “Not giving me anything easy in sports when I was little. They didn’t care that I was younger than them. I think that really helped me.”
There were stories of races with his sisters, where he would always come in last.
“I had to push myself just to keep up with them,” Tenney said. “Whatever sport it would be in they would all go at me and not give me anything. They would show it’s not easy.”
The tough love from his sisters was by design, especially from his oldest sister.
“We’ve always been tough on Jake,” Tiffany Tenney said. “In a loving way. I expect a lot from him. I expect him to be all that he can.”
Watching his sisters growing up instilled him with an unbridled work ethic.
“They are perfectionists,” Tenney said. “It really shaped me.”
Tenney jumped on to the scene with a prolific season at running back for the Senators, rushing for 1,124 yards in his junior campaign.
“It all started in the offseason,” Tenney said. “It paid off in the end.”
With all the success comes attention, something that Tenney would rather avoid.
“I am not out there,” Tenney said. “I like to put my head down and work. It’s never been about me, really. There have been so many people to help me over the course of my career. I’ve never really wanted the attention.”
With basketball starting, Tenney is looking to make a similar leap on the hardwood.
“I want to improve in every aspect of the game,” Tenney said. “I have great teammates and great coaches that believe in me.”
This is the first time time Tenney has roamed the hallways at Mahar without a sister in the building. All three sisters made some appearances at Mahar football games, watching their little brother rack up the yardage for the Senators.
“It’s motivating,” Tenney said. “I wanted to prove to them that I could play. I am grateful for them whenever they can come to a game. It makes me play better.”
There was a bit of a change in roles for the siblings during the football season.
“A couple years ago it was the other way around,” Tenney said. “I would walk onto the field and congratulate them after a game. Now they are doing it for me.”
After his performance on the football field this season, something says that his sisters will be congratulating him more and more during the rest of career with Mahar.
“I think it’s already transferring over to basketball,” Tiffany Tenney said. “Even in his scrimmages, he’s been more aggressive. He’s been going for it and not holding back.”
