Mercer Island High School cheer coach Traci Brandon was named the 2012 Washington State Cheer Coaches Association high school coach of the year.

Over 200 coaches were qualified to win the award from both private and public high schools around the state.

Brandon has been the coach at Mercer Island for 11 years, helping the team expand from one squad to a varsity and JV. In 2010 the team added four stuntmen and will increase it to eight in the fall.

To be eligible for the award the Executive Committee with the WSCCA looks at number of years coaching, cheer community involvement, growth of program and continuing education.