Taylor Mercado has served as the Head Competition Cheerleading Coach at Warner University since February 2022, bringing over 16 years of coaching, choreography, and judging experience to the Royals program. A native of Georgetown, Massachusetts, Mercado has an extensive background in cheerleading at the local, regional, and national levels, paired with a strong career in education and athletic administration.
Mercado’s coaching and professional experience includes serving as a Spirit Championships Head Scoring Official and Competition Judge (2011–present), a Rehab Coach and Physical Therapist Assistant with Lakeland Regional Health (2015–2020), and coaching roles with Victory Christian Academy (2013–2015). In addition, she worked as a choreographer for cheer and dance programs (2010–2017) and began her career as a Pop Warner coach in Newburyport, MA (2008–2010).
Academically, Mercado holds an M.B.A. from Warner University (Fall 2026), a B.A. in Elementary Education with Reading and ESOL endorsements (Southeastern University, 2014), and an A.S. in Physical Therapy Assisting (North Shore College, 2018).
Her career is marked by numerous achievements, including being recognized as the National Top Christian Cheer Coach by Christian Cheerleading of America twice (Spring 2025 and Spring 2026), and working as Senior Woman Administrator at Warner University (2023–present). Under her leadership, Warner Cheer became National Champions for their Traditional Routine and were named the Grand Champions of the 2026 CCA National Championships. The Cheer program also earned a second-place finish in the 2026 CCA National Championships, a third-place finish at the 2025 CCA Championships and made the program’s first-ever appearance at UCA College Nationals in Game Day competition (2025).Â
Mercado holds multiple certifications, including USACheer, USASF, CheerFit Instructor, Character Driven Coaching, CPR, and BLS, and is a licensed educator as well as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.
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