Janet Schrader, Democrat Reporter

What do you do if you’re a sports maniac and all you have is daughters? It doesn’t make any difference whether you have daughters or sons according to Shirley Tenbroek. A child is a child and sports is the way to go if you want to set your child on the right path in life.



Tenbroek has four daughters, Tina Decker, LeAnn Decker, Jessie Tenbroek and Paige Tenbroek.

“All of them are beautiful, athletic and have grace and brains,” Tenbroek said.



You can go to just about any athletic event in Suwannee County and see Tenbroek with one of her daughters. Tina graduated this year, but she was a cheerleader for five years, played recreation department softball, played soccer and broke a Suwannee High track record for the pole vault. She was also Homecoming Queen twice, danced and was in the top 10 percent of her class academically.



LeAnn will be a junior next year. She played recreation department and JV softball as a pitcher. LeAnn plays soccer and loves it. She moved up to the varsity soccer team at SHS at the end of last season. LeAnn joined the track team for the first time this year, ran in both hurdle events, did the triple jump and was a member of the 4X100 relay team. LeAnn also danced, tumbled and is a cheerleader.



Jessie Tenbroek is 8 years-old and is already in her third year on the Live Oak Swim Team, her third year playing softball and playing recreation department soccer. Jessie even wants to take Karate.



“I had to tell her I just couldn’t fit it in right now,” Tenbroek said. “Maybe later.”

The baby of the family is Paige Tenbroek. Paige is only 4 but can already swim the length of the Billy Jernigan Pool. She likes to dance and her mother says she will be playing recreation department soccer and T-Ball next year.



“Paige can’t wait to play,” Tenbroek said. “For sure she is going to play soccer this year.”

“It can get expensive,” Tenbroek said. “But all the hassle and money are worth it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”



The most expensive athletic activity her girls have participated in yet has been cheerleading. Tenbroek said cheerleading can cost $1,000 a year.



When Tenbroek was pregnant with Jessie the doctors told her four times that Jessie was a boy, James Tenbroek, Shirley’s husband, was hoping. But, alas, it was not to be. Though Tenbroek says Jessie is the most like a boy of all her daughters.



“She’s a terrible tom-boy,” Tenbroek said. “The oldest (Tina) and the youngest (Paige) are the prissiest.”



James Tenbroek’s advice is to be careful what you wish for. When he was younger he wished to be surrounded by women. And now he is!



But according to Tenbroek her husband is happy with just daughters.



“And we could still have a boy,” Tenbroek said with a smile.



Janet Schrader may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 132 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.