Cristal Delatorre
Cristal Delatorre is a Physical Education teacher and Strength Coach at South Sioux City High School, her alma mater, where she leads four-block strength and conditioning classes and manages a part-time catch-up period for planning and grading. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Cristal combines hands-on coaching with a strong focus on relationship-building, guiding students to improve athletic performance while fostering confidence, discipline, and resilience. Her approach emphasizes phased programming, updated roughly every four weeks, to ensure progressive development and reduce adaptation while keeping athletes engaged.
Cristal specializes in strength and performance, speed and agility, and overall athlete development. She prioritizes individualized coaching over lecture-based instruction, working closely with students to meet their unique goals. Her philosophy centers on creating a supportive and motivating environment where athletes can reach their potential both on and off the field.
Cristal’s career path began in high school strength programs and continued through her collegiate soccer career. She then served as a Graduate Assistant for two years while earning her Master’s in Sports Management at Briar Cliff University, gaining experience in program design and student-athlete development. She further honed her expertise in the private sector as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls before returning home to support her community as a physical education teacher and strength coach. Throughout her journey, Cristal has volunteered extensively, mentoring and coaching students to help them grow both athletically and personally.
• Strength & Conditioning Certification (CSES)
• Morningside University - BA, Biology
• Briar Cliff University - Master, Sports Management
• Member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• Board member of SSCSAF (South Sioux City Soccer Alumni Foundation)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, continuous learning, and a commitment to leading by example. As a first and first and a half generation Hispanic professional, I take pride in my journey, and earning my first master’s degree showed me what was possible. Pursuing a second master’s in Education reflects my dedication to growth, not only for myself, but for the students and athletes who watch and learn from me. With over four years of experience in strength and conditioning, from competing as a college soccer athlete to serving as a graduate assistant, working in a clinical setting at Sanford Hospital, and now returning home, I have built a foundation grounded in practice and expertise. Becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA reinforced my commitment to excellence. In my first year as a Physical Education teacher and Strength Coach at my alma mater, South Sioux High School, I am driven by the opportunity to give back, inspire, and help young people believe their goals are both valid and attainable.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Volunteer and take opportunities even unpaid to test whether you enjoy a field; passion often shows itself when you do work you would do even without substantial pay.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place a high value on building meaningful personal relationships and leveraging my own experiences to help students achieve more than I did at their age. Through individualized mentoring and support, I guide students in recognizing their potential and pursuing opportunities they may not yet envision. My commitment to service extends beyond the classroom into the community, where, as a board member of the South Sioux City Soccer Alumni Foundation, I help organize the annual Labor Day Tournament and support scholarship opportunities for student-athletes.