First of all, thanks to all who voted and congratulations to Kara for winning round two of our cheerleader tournament. Also, another big Mile High Salute to Kristal-Lynn for her showing. The vote was extremely close with Kristal-Lynn usually taking small leads early on. Kara finally pulled away at the end in our closest vote yet.
For those of you who are new to this series, here's the usual introduction: I got the idea for this a few weeks back 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 three 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 Three: Katie Kosters versus Michelle Sommer
Katie Kosters
Katie K. has been a fan of the Broncos since 2001, when she moved to Colorado for college. She did odd jobs around the community to help raise money for the CU Dance Team, and thought the best job was working Broncos games as an "Event Staff" usher. When the team wasn't directing people to their seats, they drank hot chocolate and watched the games. So, she's been a Broncos fan ever since. This is her third season as a cheerleader for the Broncos, cheering for us in 2008, 2010 and now 2011. She attended University of Colorado-Boulder, got a B.A. in Integrative Physiology and Psychology and works in Cause Marketing.
Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
Outside of Broncos I work full-time in development and cause marketing at The Kempe Foundation for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. Broncos compliments my job by providing more opportunities to reach out into the community and spread awareness on the issue of child abuse and neglect.
What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader?
Class and grace as an individual and also being a leader in the community. It's important to be a great team member and a role model to our young fans.
Most memorable experience?
It was last November during the Broncos vs. Chargers game when we presented $20,000 in checks to the Denver Rescue Mission and Project PAVE. We worked very hard to raise money for at-risk youth during our Inaugural Race to Keep Kids on Track last August, and it was rewarding to present the checks on the field that day.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My Grandpa's commitment to the United States Army at every grade level from private to captain earned him the United States Legion of Merit award. He also traveled to 116 countries in his 95 years (and counting!). It's his work ethic and passion for life that inspires me most!
What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
How much we appreciate sleep! In addition to practice, workouts, games, community service and events, we all have full time jobs or are full time students. Life as a DBC is busy, but worth every minute!
Best advice to kids?
"The way to know life, is to love many things." – Van Gogh
What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
I grew up playing soccer for 11 years and watching my brother play football. Football is by far my favorite sport to watch, especially the Broncos!
What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
1. I hope to go back to school to get my MBA so I can continue to grow in the field of development and cause marketing for children's organizations.
2. Traveling to many countries around the world and experiencing an adventure in each place!3. Raising a happy and healthy family.
What do you value most in your life?
The love and support of my family.
Place you would most like to visit and why?
Costa Rica to work with disadvantaged kids half the time and go surfing for the other half! And France, I've wanted to travel there since I was 10!
Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
The athletes who are committed to using their position as a platform to positively impact the community and care more about helping others than themselves. Brian Dawkins is a great leader both on and off the field.
What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
How LOUD you make the stadium on game day!! Broncos' fans truly are the best!
What book are you currently reading?
Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris. His books are funny!
In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
One of the best parts of being a Denver Broncos Cheerleader is the opportunity to positively impact the lives of so many in the community. Aside from my job at Kempe, I love working with children's organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, and the Dare to Dare program for children with Down Syndrome. I have also enjoyed building a house with Habitat for Humanity, spending time at The Children's Hospital, the American Heart Association, and Craig's Hospital.
What is something about you that fans might not know?
I'm really good at Wheel of Fortune, and hope to be a contestant one day.
What makes you laugh?
My brother Alex! He used to make me laugh at the dinner table when we were little and get me in trouble! I also love Jim Carrey and Will Ferrell.
How do you challenge yourself?
By looking at every situation as an opportunity for growth. I am constantly striving to improve myself as an individual, friend, and team member.
How do you spend your time in the offseason?
Learning to snowboard. I've skied since I was 3 but decided a few years ago to make the switch! It's a lot like surfing!
In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
I feel very blessed to have found a career in The Kempe Foundation that I am excited to come do everyday. It is rewarding to work for an organization who is so dedicated to making sure children are cared for and their voices are heard.
Michelle Sommer
Michelle has been a fan of the Broncos since birth. This is her second season as a cheerleader for the Broncos. She is currently attending the University of Colorado at Boulder and working on her BS/MS in Accounting. While she is a full time student, she is also working part time at a local restaurant
Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
I am a full-time student and I also work part time at a local restaurant. It is definitely challenging to time manage, but I love staying busy.
What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader?
Compassion. We love what we do and we are so honored to have many opportunities to impact the community especially connecting with the fans during Broncos games.
Most memorable experience?
Dancing with one of my JDBC members, Aly, at a very special memorial.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My parents are my greatest inspiration. They are political refugees from the Czech Republic, who escaped the communist regime in 1986. They left everything behind for freedom in the United States. My parents are living proof that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, so they have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to not let anything get in my way.
What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
I think that many people are surprised to find out that we hold jobs outside of being a Denver Broncos Cheerleader. Our squad is composed of intelligent, talented, and well-accomplished women pursuing their careers and life goals, while also dancing for the Broncos.
Best advice to kids?
The only dumb question is the one not asked.
What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
I love watching football and basketball. I like playing any sport even though I may not be too skilled, but it’s all about having fun.
What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
While I am on this team, I would love to go on an AFE tour to visit the American troops. As far as life goals, I want to have a successful international career where I can travel to many countries and I also want to be an amazing wife and mother.
What do you value most in your life?
I really cherish my amazing relationship with my parents and our health. I am so fortunate to have such supportive parents and to be surrounded by incredible friends and teammates.
Place you would most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit the Tahitian Islands or go on a Mediterranean cruise. I am addicted to traveling and I have so much fun exploring exotic cultures.
Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
The Czech Republic national hockey team.
What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
Broncos fans are the most loyal fans you will ever meet. I mean when you say Broncos country these people bleed orange and blue.
What book are you currently reading?
Fundamentals of Financial Management- it’s an exciting read.
In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
I am a counselor for a summer business leadership program where I volunteer over 200 hours to help work on a business campaign. I work with underrepresented high school students who are competing for a scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. I hold this program very close to my heart because not only have I gone through this program myself but now I have the opportunity to influence other students' lives.
What is something about you that fans might not know?
I am very skilled at mowing the lawn.
What makes you laugh?
Funny people like my dad, Dane Cook, Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell, and my friends.
How do you challenge yourself?
I find it very easy to get sucked in to routine. So, I have been stepping out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and pushing myself to always seek the best.
How do you spend your time in the offseason?
When I'm not busy with school, work, or Broncos, I just love to relax and enjoy the little things in life.
In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
I have achieved the most success in both school and dance. By making Broncos I have definitely reached my peak of my dancing career. In school, I worked really hard to get accepted into graduate school and I just finished an internship at a Big 4 accounting firm.
So round three brings us a battle of a three-year vet versus a fan since birth. 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. Go Broncos!
Thank you 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.
