QUARTERFINALS ROUND TWO - Broncos best cheerleader tournament

Welcome back everyone. First of all, thanks to all who voted and congratulations to Nikki for being the first to make it to the semifinals of our cheerleader tournament. Also, another big Mile High Salute to Kara for making it as far as she did. I think this past round proved just how hard this tournament is going to be from now on. And sorry I wasn't able to interact much with the last round. As I said, my dad was in town and I took some vacation days so we could finish up our new bathroom (and celebrate the news that my wife found out we're pregnant). I'm proud to say all that's left with the bathroom is installing the faucets when they come in and a little bit of drywall and tile around the tub as soon as I get them mounted. I'm also proud to say, as I did in another post, that my wife agreed to let me name our child Myles if it's a boy! But enough about my life, let's get on with the contest.

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 the second round of the quarterfinals.

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

Quarterfinals Round Two: Sam Boik versus Megan Brooks

Sam Boik

Sam has been a fan of the Broncos since the first NFL game she ever attended, which was a Broncos home game and a WIN over the Giants. This is her second season as a cheerleader for the Broncos. She was a professional ballet dancer for seven seasons with Carolina Balletand and now is a Senior Market Operations Specialist.

Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
Senior Market Operations Specialist. I work full time, as many of the other cheerleaders do too. My involvement with the Broncos requires extra time commitments outside of my regular 40-hour week. I need to make sure I always keep a very up-to-date calendar. Broncos has taught me how to excel at time management and how to focus my energy on one thing at a time, especially when I may have 3 or 4 different things going on in any one day. That discipline helps me work more efficiently no matter what I'm doing.

What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader?
POSITIVE ENERGY! It radiates from her smile, it inspires the fans to support the team from start to finish, it shows itself in all her community involvement, it encourages her to dance with 100% effort at every team rehearsal and on the field, and for all the people she meets it leaves an everlasting impression of kindness and grace.

Most memorable experience?
During the moments prior to the final selection at the 2010 cheerleader finals, all 63 finalists held hands and wished each other the best of luck and warm congratulations for working hard and showing so much talent, regardless of the ultimate outcome. When my name and number were announced, I knew that I had just been offered the opportunity of a lifetime with an amazing group of women.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My dad. He's a generous, honest, and loving man. He has inspired within me a driving work ethic that encourages me to never give up and helps me to achieve my dreams.

What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
Everyone is extremely professional. We are far from a group of drama queens or divas! All the cheerleaders show each other and their coaches a great amount of respect. It takes a lot of hard work, commitment, and preparation to perform at our very best, but we're able to achieve that because everyone fulfills their responsibilities.

Best advice to kids?
Believe in yourself! You just may surprise yourself with the accomplishments you're able to achieve if you just believe.

What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
I'm a huge fan of playing pool! I realize it's not necessarily an athletic sport; however the math nerd side of me loves the elements of physics and geometry in the game. Plus, my friends call me a "pool shark"!

What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
I hope to become a published author, to travel to all corners of the world, and to figure out why I'm so addicted to shoes!

What do you value most in your life?
My friends and family, my physical health, and the wisdom that comes with age.

Place you would most like to visit and why?
I've always wanted to travel to Australia. It is such a remarkable continent, full of amazing cities and exotic wildlife. And to be honest, I'm in love with the Aussie accent!

Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
Billie Jean King. Not only did she achieve amazing feats in the game of tennis, she spoke out as an advocate of women's rights and equality, and her 1973 match against Bobby Riggs, dubbed the "Battle of the Sexes", captivated and changed the world.

What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
Their devotion. Every day I pass people on the street wearing Broncos t-shirts or hats, even during the off-season. I often pull up behind fans in their cars with Broncos bumper stickers, license plates, and decals in their windows. At the games I love how our fans get dressed up from head to toe in blue and orange.

What book are you currently reading?
The Universe in a Single Atom by the Dalai Lama

In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
I became involved with World Wildlife Fund and many different Humane Societies beginning at a young age. I have always felt a deep love and respect for all animals, domesticated and wild. I am a committed vegetarian and believe that the natural animal kingdom is a beautiful community that should be cherished and preserved.

What is something about you that fans might not know?
I've walked upon the Great Wall in China, and it was a breath-taking experience I will never forget.

What makes you laugh?
Looking through old photo albums! It's always fun to look back and laugh about old memories, but it's even funnier to reminisce about all the crazy hairstyle choices I've made over the years. It's difficult to admit, but I do believe that at one point in time my hair was a shade of orange!

How do you challenge yourself?
I try to be a better me every day.

How do you spend your time in the offseason?
Riding my Electra cruiser bicycle everywhere, practicing yoga and running outdoors, nurturing my potted plants, and attending outdoor summer concerts-especially at Red Rocks!

In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
I've achieved the most success dancing professionally. It's something that I've been dedicated to and have been striving for since I was 5 years old. I attended a private performing arts high school in order to fine tune my craft and made many sacrifices throughout my life in order to become a professional dancer. It has taught me discipline, self-respect, and poise.

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 Two of our quarterfinals brings us a battle of two energetic family women. The decision is as hard as any we've had to make so far, so good luck to all voters but only one can move forward. 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!