FanPost

QUARTERFINALS ROUND THREE - Broncos best cheerleader tournament

Welcome back everyone. First of all, thanks to all who voted and congratulations to Sam for being the second to make it to the semifinals of our cheerleader tournament. Also, another big Mile High Salute to Megan for making it as far as she did. This was a great round to follow. Sam started off with about a two to one lead only to see it quickly disappear. They traded leads for about the first full day before Sam finally retook the lead and held onto it for good.

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 third 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 Three: Lauren Hanna versus Antonia "Toni" Damico

Lauren Hanna

Lauren H., who got the fourth bye of the tournament, has been a fan of the Broncos since the early '90s when she was just a little girl. She says she remembers growing up and her Dad taking her to Broncos games. Even though she was a bit too young to fully understand the game, she always wanted to go with her family. Her family has always been huge Broncos fans and she is proud to say that she followed in their footsteps. This is her first season as a cheerleader for the Broncos. She gradutated from Colorado State University in 2011 with a degree in Communications with a minor in English and is currently job searching.

Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
Currently, I recently graduated from Colorado State University and am looking for a position with a Public Relations company. Job searching is exciting and I am excited to find something within the near future!

What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader?
The most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader is being a role model within the community. As a Denver Broncos cheerleader, we are honored to work with others through charities, promotions and other events around the Denver area. Being a role model is one of the most important attributes of the Denver Broncos cheerleaders because we strive to positively impact the lives of every Denver Broncos fan and everyone we come in contact with. It also impacts our own life knowing we can help and meet so many great people as well!

Most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience was traveling to China and visiting the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China is so spectacular and the view is incredible! The people who live in China are also very humble and kind. I hope that I can travel there again in the future!

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My younger brother, Eric, has been my greatest inspiration throughout my life. Eric is mentally handicapped, but he keeps me smiling every single day! It is amazing to realize how much he has taught me throughout the 21 years I have known him. I have learned to be compassionate, loving and accepting of all people because of Eric and I am incredibly blessed to have him in my life! Eric has truly shaped me into the person I am today.

What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
One thing that some people do not always know when they meet or see the DBC is that all of us girls are either full time students, or currently have full time careers. All of the DBC live very busy lives and being a part of this team is the cherry on top! I am happy to know that I can have a career, as well as have my greatest passion in my life which is dance!

Best advice to kids?
The best advice to kids is to treat others as you would want to be treated.

What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
I am a sucker for basketball! I love everything about the game (Other than football of course!). Over the past three years I have become attached to watching many NBA teams from all over the country. Basketball is such a fast paced game and so entertaining to watch! Although I am a terrible basketball player myself, I never let that affect how I feel about the sport itself!

What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
The three things that I hope to accomplish in my lifetime is to be happy, successful and to live a long life! I hope to someday be married and have a wonderful family of my own! I also strive to obtain a career that fits me and my lifestyle. Last but not least, I want to live a life that I am proud of!

What do you value most in your life?
The things that I value most in my life are my family, friends and my education. I do not know where I would be if I didn’t have my family and friends. I am incredibly lucky to have such great parents, brothers and friends who support me in everything I do. Without my family and friends I don’t know where I would be! I also value my education. I am very blessed to be able to attend and graduate from a great university in order to obtain a career in Public Relations.

Place you would most like to visit and why?
Anywhere tropical! I am not very picky when it comes to vacations, but if I had a choice to travel somewhere spectacular, it would have to be to Tahiti, Costa Rica or Thailand. I love traveling to beaches because I have lived in snowy Colorado for 23 years, so a change of scenery to something exotic and tropical is a must! I hope to travel to at least one of these three choices someday!

Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
I admire John Elway most in the sports industry. Growing up in Denver my entire life, John Elway was always an icon and an inspiration to many of the kids I grew up with. Everyone knew who John Elway was! He has accomplished so much in his life and was a very talented player.

What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
The best thing about Broncos fans is how supportive and loyal they are to the team! Broncos fans truly are dedicated to the game as well as to the players. There is something unique about the Broncos fans and it is not that they just wear orange and blue, it is the idea of "once a fan, always a fan!"

What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading a novel called "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. My former literature professor had recommended it to my class and I love this book so far! I definitely recommend it.

In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
One charity and community service organization that I always am a part of is the Special Olympics. With a younger brother with disabilities, this charity is very important to me. I am always honored to work with the amazing people involved in the Special Olympics because it truly changes my life knowing I could help others with challenges in their life. Being a part of the Special Olympics always leaves me with the most impactful memories and I am very blessed to be able to work with these people! It is such a great feeling when I see the individuals involved in the Special Olympics so happy and that is the reason as to why I love coming back each year.

What is something about you that fans might not know?
Something that the fans may not know is that I can do sign language. Although I do not know as much as I used to, I still enjoy learning more about the language. I wish I knew more!

What makes you laugh?
There are so many things that make me laugh! I love watching the show, Chelsea Lately. She cracks me up every time I watch! I was actually able to see her do standup comedy in Denver a few years ago and it was simply amazing. My boyfriend is also hilarious. The things he says and does are not like anyone else I know! Another thing that makes me laugh is some of my favorite movies such as Elf and Finding Nemo.

How do you challenge yourself?
One attribute of mine is I am a perfectionist! This does help when I do challenge myself though! Whenever I need to do something, I make sure I finish what I have started and that I put in my full effort. Anyone is capable of doing anything as long as they put their mind to it!

How do you spend your time in the offseason?
In the offseason, I will spend my time working in Public Relations. I also enjoy keeping myself in shape during the offseason. I am a huge fan of outside activities such as hiking, golfing, swimming, skiing and more! One goal of mine after the season is to travel and see more of the world. There are so many places I would love to visit and I hope to plan a few vacations this year!

In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
I have achieved the most success through my education. I believe that education is one of the most important tools people may use in their life! Through my education, I can obtain a career and I can be proud of my accomplishment of completing college for the rest of my life. Education is one of the best privileges I have ever been given and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

Antonia "Toni" Damico

Toni has been a fan of football since she can remember, but she's only recently become a fan of the Broncos. This is her first season cheering for us. She's a graduate of the University of Minnesota, majoring in Communication Studies and is pursuing a modeling career .

Occupation and how does Broncos affect your work?
I am a recent college graduate pursuing my modeling career and am interested in public relations and media.

What is the most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader?
The most important attribute of a Denver Broncos cheerleader is personality. You have to not only be able to talk with fans but you also have to be able to connect with them and share your passion of being a Broncos fan with everyone you interact with.

Most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience is when I heard my number called at the final auditions at the Denver Broncos cheerleader tryouts. Making this team has been a dream of mine and when I heard my number called it was life changing.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
There are so many amazing and talented dancers who I admire but my mom is my greatest inspiration. She has been behind my the whole way helping me through everything and pushing me to be my best in whatever I do.

What is one thing about being a DBC that most people don't know?
Each year, we all have to re-audition for the team.

Best advice to kids?
Don’t settle for something you are not completely happy with. You have the ability to change and mold your life into what you want it to be.

What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
My favorite time in the fall is Sunday football. I love watching the games with my friends and family all day! Baseball is another favorite sport of mine to watch. It’s always fun going to watch a baseball game outdoors!

What top three things do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
I want to travel to Australia, own my own business, and have a big family.

What do you value most in your life?
I value my family more than anything. I have an extremely close family and value them, and their love and friendship.

Place you would most like to visit and why?
I would love to go back to Italy to the town where my relatives are from.

Who do you admire most in the sports industry?
The person I admire the most in the sports industry is Joe Mauer from the Minnesota Twins. He is a hometown Minnesota guy who is an amazing baseball player.

What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
Broncos fans are the most die-hard fans out there! They are extremely passionate about the Broncos and love to be involved in anyway they can.

What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin.

In what charities or community service organizations are you most involved and why?
Back home in Minnesota I was involved with Feed my Starving Children and the Christian Life Ministry’s Foreign Mission through my church. I plan on finding a church here in Denver to continue to be involved in those programs. It is very important to me to continue in my faith and spread it on to others.

What is something about you that fans might not know?
I was born and raised in Minnesota and prior to trying out for the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders I had never been to Colorado.

What makes you laugh?
Kids always make me laugh! They are always coming up with funny random things that always put a smile on my face!

How do you challenge yourself?
I challenge myself by pursuing dreams that I have had since I was young. Becoming a professional cheerleader was a dream of mine as a little girl and by putting my mind to something and then accomplishing it is a great way to challenge and reward yourself.

How do you spend your time in the offseason?
I like to spend my time during the offseason traveling and visiting friends that I do not get to see on a regular basis.

In what area of your life have you achieved the most success?
Dance has been the most successful thing in my life. I have been dancing since i was six years old and it has led me to great things such as coaching, modeling and now professional cheer leading.

So Round Three of our quarterfinals brings us a battle of two first year cheerleaders. If this is anything like the past couple of rounds have been, we're going to have another huge battle after making an extremely tough decision. 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.