Denver Broncos cheerleader Berkleigh Wright was named by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit one of seven Swim Search finalists this year.
They will be rookies in the 2024 edition of SI Swim. After hearing the news, the NFL cheerleader hopes to inspire the next generation.
NFL cheerleader Berkleigh Wright earns Spot as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie for 2024
"Being a member of the Sports Illustrated family and having this powerful platform would help me advance as a mentor and reach a broader audience of our youth," Wright explained. "A mentor to show our younger generation that you are not limited by your external factors, but rather unlimited by the person you can become from the inside out."
The cheerleader already posted on her social media a few months ago that she was among the 12 chosen: "Cheesy post alert! I've been keeping this close for a while, but I couldn't be more honored to share that I made it to the Top 12 in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swim search," Wright wrote .
"This journey is just beginning, but there are no words to express the gratitude I feel for the people and experiences I've encountered so far."
Jena Sims was also named a rookie as Instagram star Penny Lane also earned a spot. In fact they had. Instead of tallying the votes and choosing the winner, they made all of this year's finalists rookies. The announcement was made during a group video call with the finalists.
SI Swimsuit announced: "Congratulations to these 7 fierce, strong and beautiful women! We can't wait to see them all shine as 2024 rookies."
Berkleigh reacted to the news with this comment on the video : "I'm not crying, you're crying. I can never thank them enough for this opportunity!!!".
Wright is a technical account manager and analyst by day and a Broncos cheerleader by night. The 28-year-old graduated from the University of Kansas and earned degrees in strategic communications, business and psychology. She works closely with organizations such as Children's Hospital Colorado, the Boys and Girls Club of Denver and Habitat for Humanity.
Who were the other finalists?
Seven women made the final of the competition. They are:
- Jena Sims, wife of Brooks Koepka
- Nina Cash, a retired university dean
- Brittney Nicole, a naval contractor
- Achieng Agutu, a Kenyan model
- Sharina Gutierrez, a Filipina-American model
- Penny Lane, a model who has appeared on the cover of 'OutKick's Screencaps
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3RnJhnm5%2BifKa6jqWgn52jqcatsY6cnKWdkqe2tbXErGZraGJofHJ8jmtoaG5laIFxr5ecaW9wlWiydn%2BUcW%2BbbGVus2%2B006aj