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Northwestern College Athletics

Northwestern College
HOME OF NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS ATHLETICS
HONORING CHRIST THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
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Taylor Decker

Taylor Decker joined the Northwestern staff in April 2015 as the cheer coach, and in April 2017 also took over the Northwestern dance program. In 2021 she was named the full-time coach for the cheer & dance varsity programs.

"We love to show our God given talents through cheer and dance by honoring Christ through excellence in all that we do on and off the performance floor," said Decker.

In her time leading the cheer and dance programs, Decker has coached multiple All-Conference performers - cheer (10) and dance (six). She has also coached a dance All-American in Kaylee Van Den Berg (Honorable Mention, 2022) and two cheer All-American in Nathan Tornow (Second Team, 2024) and Hannah Van Maaren (Second Team, 2024).

Northwestern won the GPAC cheer title for the first time in program history in 2024, advancing to the NAIA Championships for the first time as well. At the NAIA meet, the Raiders placed sixth. Also in 2024, Decker led the Raiders to the 14th best average in the NAIA, scoring an average of 85.48 in 10 events.

The Raider cheer team continued their successful slate in 2025, winning the GPAC for the second consecutive year and earning an automatic bid to the NAIA Championships. Decker's squad finished sixth at the NAIA meet and posted a program-record season average of 87.57, which was 10th in the country.

"When I was hired at Northwestern, I was a brand new coach with lots of questions. Within the first week I was welcomed not only by the athletics department but by the Northwestern College community. I love talking with our vastly experienced coaches and faculty. They are more than willing to help you out or answer any questions you may have," said Decker. "The different paths each of us are one is what really drew me. Whether you are a seasoned Christian or brand new in your faith, there is someone to talk to and walk alongside you. Mentoring student-athletes while you also being filled up with like-minded Christians is something I look forward to every day!"

She graduated from Iowa State University where she was a member of the Cyclone Cheer team.

Decker and her husband, Tyler Decker, have six children. Kennedy, Aria, Blakelee, and Briar Jean, Ashton, and Kobie. In addition to her coaching duties at Northwestern, Decker is the owner of the Elite Dance and Tumbling studio in Orange City.

updated June 2025
 
Year GPAC NAIA Regional
2025 Cheer 1st of 8 teams - 89.37 pts 6th of 15 teams - 89.70 pts
2025 Dance 6th of 9 teams - 73.7 pts
2024 Cheer 1st of 8 teams - 92.66 pts 6th of 15 teams - 88.55 pts
2024 Dance 8th of 9 teams - 67.80 pts
2023 Cheer 2nd - 86.25 pts
2023 Dance 8th - 63.17 pts
2022 Cheer 5th - 68.74 pts
2022 Dance 8th - 57.79 pts
2021 Cheer 5th - 72.87 pts
2021 Dance 9th - 64.5 pts
2020 Cheer 4th - 63.68 pts
2020 Dance 4th - 68.13 pts
2019 Cheer 2nd of 7 teams - 67.08 pts 8th of 14 teams - 58.39 pts
2019 Dance 7th of 8 teams - 58.53 pts 8th of 12 teams - 64.35 pts
2018 Cheer     6th of 7 teams - 54.75 pts 7th of 9 teams - 54.42 pts

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