Head Developmental Coach – Nicole de los Santos Rucker is a USAW National Coach and CFL2 Trainer. She found the sport of Weightlifting through CrossFit back in 2012 and began coaching in 2017. Nicole placed 2nd at the Texas State Weightlifting Championships in 2022, qualified for American Open Finals in 2 weight classes and competed in Senior Nationals as a 64kg two years in a row. Nicole has been an athlete under Oly Concepts, Power and Grace, and is currently with Brittany Rucker, head coach and owner of Bexar Barbell. Nicole coaches athletes of all levels including multiple state champs and a national champion. She has assisted in and coached athletes to qualifying at Youth, Junior, and Senior Nationals. 

Growing up Nicole was on the dance team, ran cross country and track & field. Nicole graduated from Texas State University in 2014 with a degree in Music Education. Before moving to San Antonio, Nicole taught Elementary Music and Middle School Choir in Round Rock ISD while also coaching at Defiant CrossFit and was the Head Coach for their USAW Olympic Weightlifting Team. She can be contacted at nicole@bexarbarbell.com.

Selena serves as a coach at Bexar Barbell and holds a Level 2 USAW Coaching certification. Although she’s a recent arrival in San Antonio, Selena was the proprietor of Kansas City Weightlifting for more than three years, during which she also fulfilled the role of assistant coach. In that capacity, she trained a diverse group of athletes, ranging in age from 6 to 72. Her coaching portfolio includes preparing athletes for both local and national competitions, such as the Nationals from 2020 to 2022 and the Arnold Sports Festival in 2022.

A natural athlete, Selena earned All-State honors in both track and volleyball during her high school years. She later channeled her competitive spirit into Obstacle Course Racing events like the Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, and Bone Frog Challenge. Notably, she took on these challenges alongside her son, who is also an athlete at Bexar. Selena’s foray into weightlifting began as a means to enhance her performance in obstacle courses, a recommendation from her CrossFit coach. The sport quickly became a passion for both her and her son. With five years of experience in Olympic weightlifting, Selena has competed as a 71kg lifter in various meets at the local, national, and international levels.

Since joining Bexar Barbell as an athlete in 2021, Neil has evolved into a coach for the team starting in 2023. His journey into fitness began with CrossFit in 2014, leading to a deeper interest in weightlifting the following year. Neil secured his USAW Level 1 certification in 2019. As a competitive weightlifter, he has not only participated but also secured medals at the American Open Series. Beyond competing, Neil has managed athletes at local meets, American Open Series, and during the USAW National Championship week, and he has acted as a technical official at national USAW events.

Neil’s involvement with weightlifting extends beyond the physical aspect; he is an avid scholar of the sport’s history and competitive strategies, continually pursuing the latest knowledge in weightlifting and strength training.