The US National Youth Cheer Teams are comprised of the most talented cheerleaders in America.
USA Youth All Girl, known also as “YAG”, is comprised of 32 female cheerleaders aged between 12-14, representing the United States in international competition within the Youth All Girl Advanced division.
USA Youth Coed, known also as “YUCO” is comprised of 32 male and female cheerleaders between 12-14, representing the United States in international competition within the Youth Coed Advanced division.
2025 US NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM LOCATIONS
YOUTH CHEER COACHING STAFF
YOUTH DIRECTOR • TUCKER HUNTER
Tucker Hunter is a former US National Coed Premier athlete and 4x ICU World Champion (2013-2017). Tucker has served as the US National Youth Teams Director since 2021– leading both Youth All Girl (YAG) & Youth Coed (YUCO) to multiple ICU Junior World Championship medals and international titles. Tucker graduated from Oklahoma State University, winning 3 NCA College National Championship titles and competed within Cheer Athletics, winning 3 USASF Worlds championships before pursuing a career with NCA. He currently holds positions of College Staff Director at NCA as well as working as a coach at Cheer Athletics Plano.
YOUTH ALL GIRL ASSISTANT COACH • KELSEY ADAMS
Kelsey has dedicated 13 years to coaching at Grayslake Central High School, where she led the team to an IHSA state championship in 2019. A former college cheerleader at Northern Illinois University, Kelsey developed a deep passion for the sport that has shaped a successful coaching career. In 2024, Kelsey served as a coach for the US National youth all-girl team at the Pan American Championship, where the team brought home the gold. Recognized for cultivating a culture of discipline, unity, and achievement, Kelsey is excited to continue coaching the youth all-girl team!
YOUTH ALL GIRL ASSISTANT COACH • SAVANNAH BENNETT
With 9 years of coaching experience at her alma mater, South Elgin High School, she has led her team to outstanding achievements, including two IHSA state championships in 2020 and 2024 and two bronze finishes in 2022 and 2023. Beyond high school coaching, she has been actively involved in the all-star cheerleading world, formerly coaching full-season teams and actively contributing to the quarter-season program at ICE Barrington. In 2023, she joined the coaching staff of the prestigious US National Youth Coed Team, competing in the 2023 ICU World Cup Championships, the 2024 ICU World Cheerleading Championships, and the 2024 PanAmerican Championships. Looking ahead, she is thrilled to return in 2025 with the Youth All Girl Team, ready to continue growing and supporting the athletes of the Youth Empire with passion and dedication.
YOUTH COED HEAD COACH • KYLE WILLIAMS
Kyle Williams, originally from New Jersey, serves as the Varsity Spirit State Director for Illinois and is a choreographer for the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). Since 2022, Kyle has been coaching US National Youth teams, leading them to victories at the 2023 ICU World Cup Championships, the 2024 Pan American Championships, and securing three ICU World Championships. Kyle loves the bond and culture created in the USA youth programs. Kyle is the Program Director of ICE ALLSTARS in Barrington IL. As the head coach of the Youth Coed team, he is excited to continue elevating the level of youth cheerleading by implementing innovative techniques and fostering a supportive and empowering environment for young athletes.
YOUTH COED ASSISTANT COACH • JENNY MERCADO
Jenny Mercado has been coaching cheerleading for over 20 years. This will be her fourth year coaching in the US National Team Youth Program and she has coached both YUCO and YAG! Jenny is also the head coach at Lockport Township High School and coaches at GymTyme Illinois. As an athlete, she cheered at the University of Louisville where she won three NCA Collegiate National titles and a USASF World Championship with GymTyme All Stars. Jenny was also a member of Premier Coed in 2009 and won gold at ICU Worlds! She’s “so proud to represent our country and [is] looking forward to another great year!”
YOUTH COED ASSISTANT COACH • NATHAN O’CONNOR
Nathan O’Connor grew up power tumbling for 11 years, then shifted to cheerleading in high school. He cheered at Oklahoma State University on both the small and large coed teams, as well as Twist & Shout Diamonds. Nathan has now been coaching tumbling and cheerleading at the high school and all star level for 8 years. He is currently practicing as a physical therapist and continuing to coach at ICE Barrington. This will be his second year coaching the US Youth National Teams.
YOUTH COED ASSISTANT COACH • CLAUDIA DESANTIS
Claudia DeSantis is approaching her second season with the U.S National Youth Coed Team. Currently, Claudia coaches recreational at PCA, is the head Coach of Old Quarry middle school, and is the JV Head Coach at Lemont High School cheerleading in Illinois. She has lead her teams to 5 IESA State Championship Titles. Claudia says, “It’s an honor to represent our country in a sport I love, and I look forward to sharing that with our new batch of baby eagles! Let’s go, USA!”