FanPost

ROUND 5: Broncos' best cheerleader tournament

First of all, thanks to all who voted and congratulations to Allyson for winning round four of our cheerleader tournament. Also, another big Mile High Salute to Kristin for her showing. The vote was the biggest margin of victory to date with MHR members voting for Allyson with about a 5-1 ratio. Major props to Allyson on this one because I have no doubt Kristin could beat out any other cheerleader on any other team. Things just get tough when you're facing the best of the best.

For those of you who are new to this series, here's the usual introduction: I got the idea for this while visiting the Phinsider website. They were doing a short bracket of cheerleaders from around the league. I figured that wouldn't work for us though since we all know we have the best cheerleaders there are. So, I built bracket for the best of the best. To be fair, all entries were selected with a random number generator. I'd like to wrap this up on Super Bowl Sunday, so that means a new vote every 3 or 4 days. It doesn't matter how you vote, but I'll be giving the information and pictures from the Broncos' website. You can base your vote on who you perceive to be the biggest fan, whose personality you like the best or plain and simple looks (of course, the info will still probably have to play a part since they're all obviously 10s of course).

So, without further adieu, I present round five of the tournament.

If you can't see the full bracket, just click on the picture. It should take you to the source image.

Round Five: Tara Battiato versus Megan Brooks

Tara Battiato

Tara has been a fan of the Broncos since she could say the word "Broncos." This is her third season in a row as a cheerleader for the Broncos. She attended Boise State University for a degree in Mass Communications, and is currently working in Commercial Real Estate.

Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
I work for a commercial real estate firm. Being a member of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders affects my work in a positive way. Due to the time management demands, I am highly organized and efficient with my work.

What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos Cheerleader?
I think that the most important attribute of a DBC is a kind heart. One of the best parts of DBC is being in a position to have a positive influence and give back to the Denver community. You meet the most amazing people that end up changing your life for the better.

Most memorable experience?
Traveling to Alice Springs, Australia last season for the Armed Forces Entertainment tour. It was such a humbling experience to be chosen to perform for the men and women of our armed forces. Getting to know them and their families is something I will never forget.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My father, John. He is the most brilliant man I have ever met. He has always been honest with me and has given me guidance, even if that means some tough love! I respect him more every day and aspire to be like him.

What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
I think that Broncos fans would be happy to know that all of the DBC are such hard working women. We work our tails off in practice and at Broncos games. We are always challenging each other to be the best that we can be. That’s why the Broncos have the best cheerleading program in the NFL.

Best advice to kids?
You miss all the shots that you don't take.

What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
I really enjoy watching any college sports. I love the the attachment that the students and alumni have to their teams. I also like supporting all of the Colorado teams, especially the Rockies.

What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
1. Masters Degree in Communications
2. Happiness within my job field
3. Six Pack abs

What do you value most in life?
I value my family, health, education, friends and teammates.

Place I like to visit and why?
I would love to visit Italy with my two sisters and brother. It is where our family is from and it would be awesome to experience our ancestry together.

Who has been your greatest Inspiration?
My mother Billie is such a beautiful person inside and out. She has always supported me. I would not be the person nor the dancer without her. I simply adore her.

Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. He runs such a wonderful program at Duke. He cares about the athlete developing as a person as well as a great basketball player. Plus, he delivers; four national championships with Duke and one gold medal for the USA in 2008. I think that he is an incredible coach.

What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
They are loyal and they support the Broncos through thick and thin (and snow)!

What book are you currently reading?
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by: Chelsea Handler She is hilarious. It's a fun read.

In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
I absolutely love working with the Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleading program. The program is designed to promote self-esteem, pride, commitment and discipline among young women. I think that all of these qualities are extremely important in child development. It was an honor to be chosen as an instructor and I look forward to taking every opportunity I can to reach out and help the young women.

What is something about you fans might not know?
I am a thrill seeker! While I was on the Armed Forces Entertainment tour in Australia I went skydiving at 14,000 feet in Byron Bay, climbed the Sydney bridge and went scuba diving with sea turtles.

What makes you laugh?
My sister Rachel is the funniest person in the world. She has the best sense of humor.When I am around her I am always laughing.

How do you challenge yourself?
I challenge myself by trying to represent the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders to the best of my ability, on and off the field. There have been such incredible DBC alumni, which makes it such an elite organization to be a part of. I want to continue that tradition and raise the bar every day.

How do you spend your time in the off season?
I love sleeping in on a Sunday morning, then meeting my best friends for brunch, followed by a late afternoon movie.

In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
I feel like I have achieved the most success in my dancing career. I have danced for both NBA and NFL teams. I feel truly successful, because nothing has given me more happiness in my life. Every time I get to attend practice or a performance, I am truly happy.

Megan Brooks

Megan has been a fan of the Broncos forever and she has never followed another NFL team. This is her second season as a cheerleader for the Broncos. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder to get a B.A. in Integrative Physiology. She currently works as a dance instructor at Elite Dance Academy.

Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
I am currently working on becoming certified as an EMT. On the side, I am a dance instructor at Elite Dance Academy. Although I was a very prepared individual before joining the team, Broncos has made me stress the importance of being organized and prepared for each day. I have really improved my time management skills and prioritizing!

What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader?
Always being enthusiastic! Enthusiasm is a contagious characteristic and can spread quickly. You should always be willing to do more, and truly believe in what you are doing.

Most memorable experience?
Seeing my family in the audience at Broncos auditions, when we performed our first dance as the new 2010-2011 Denver Broncos Cheerleaders (the first time I had made the team). They have supported me every step of the way, and it all came together that moment I saw them from the stage.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My grandpa ("Bampa"). Even as a young kid, I knew he would be one of the greatest people I would ever know in my life.

What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
Most people don’t know how much our team cares and supports our troops. Much of what we do revolves around them. For example, we say a prayer before every football game for the men and women who are fighting for our freedom. We send care packages to bases all over for Christmas and other holidays. We have also sent some of our girls to tour all over the world to meet and bring a little piece of home to those who are deployed. We are so incredibly thankful for their service and we do everything we can to show that.

Best advice to kids?
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" -Dr. Seuss

What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
Other than the obvious (dancing and watching football), I love to watch basketball and baseball, and I really enjoy skiing/snowboarding and playing beach volleyball!

What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
1. Become an EMT/paramedic. Eventually attend PA school.
2. Have a family of my own and be as good of a parent as my parents are.
3. Take a year of my life to travel. Meet new people, experience new cultures, and enjoy the small things in life that people become too busy to enjoy.

What do you value most in your life?
My family, my friends, and my health. I'm very appreciative to have such an AMAZING family and supportive friends. Being healthy is something most people don't appreciate until they are sick, so I try to value my health everyday!

Place you would most like to visit and why?
Santorini, Greece. It's a mini paradise in the Greek Islands!! I can't even put in words how beautiful it is there.

Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
Oscar Pistorius- "the Blade Runner". Nothing has stopped him from accomplishing his dreams and he exemplifies all the characteristics of an amazing role model and athlete for all who follow him. His motto is: "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have; you are able by the abilities you have."

What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
Their passion for the Broncos. They are enthusiastic, always supportive, and most importantly, they are classy.

What book are you currently reading?
EMT Textbook!

In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
I really enjoy giving back to the community in any way I can. Therefore, I try to even out my charity involvement to show my support for all types of organizations (breast cancer, children, military, etc…)

What is something about you that fans might not know?
I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!

What makes you laugh?
It's not hard to make me laugh…but I think sarcastic people are very funny! I do have to admit that Larry the Cable Guy is one of my favorites!

How do you challenge yourself?
I set high goals, and I don't stop until I have reached those goals. I am very hard on myself in that aspect. I will always want to do something better than the last time.

How do you spend your time in the offseason?
I love the outdoors! In the summer I love to hike, camp, go four-wheeling, shooting, beach volleyball, etc… and in the winter I love to ski and snowboard!

In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
Dance and school. I have worked my whole life to get where I am today in both school and dance. I have been through many ups and downs in the past, but I have realized that I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for every single achievement and disappointment that I have experienced. I have always put school before everything else, and I have worked extremely hard to earn and maintain the grades I have. When I'm not studying, I put everything I have left into dance.

So round five brings us a battle of two family oriented cheerleaders who want to further their education. Once again, please feel free to add your opinions and any info you can find on these lovely ladies, and let me know if there's anything I can do to improve this series.

And I just want to say thank you again to MHR. My knowledge of football has expanded exponentially since I started coming to this site and I still find myself so far behind some of the great members here. I figured this contest would be a good way to give something back. Go Broncos!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR.