At the 30-second mark of their one-minute lunge-hold challenge, Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Ty Wagg, PT, DPT, looked at patient, Cal Hollenbaugh, and said: “I should not have made the bet, I have this “Dad Bod’’ thing working.’’
A gifted and compassionate therapist, Wagg – it must be noted – was joking. He completed the task – paying his wager in full – and continued his tremendous work with Hollenbaugh, a true 24-karat gem of a dedicated-to-the-task 16-year-old, rehabbing a left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear.
“I trusted Luka (Doncic),’’ Wagg said of the Dallas Mavericks’ star, whose team lost to the Boston Celtics (Hollenbaugh’s choice) in the 2024 NBA finals.
The wager, according to Wagg, who has guided Hollenbaugh’s therapy since just after surgery in October of 2023, was if the Mavericks won there would be no shared lunge holds. If the Celtics won, Wagg would have to complete the task with Hollenbaugh to close out a midweek
therapy session at Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Muscatine, Iowa-based, Cedarwood clinic.
“I believe he wanted to make me sweat,’’ said Wagg, the father of a 41/2-month-old little one at home, who shares PT duties at Muscatine with a bevy of amazing therapists, including his wife, Morgan Wagg, PT, DPT. “I, at least, should have stretched.’’
It has been a long, but successful journey back to playing varsity baseball for Hollenbaugh, who just completed his sophomore (school) year at Muscatine, Iowa’s Muscatine High School. He has pitched in five games for a club that calls the ultra-tough Mississippi Athletic Conference home. He is on the verge of being cleared to run the bases and will be 100 percent – for all phases of the game – shortly.
Fall baseball and basketball have been green-lighted for the ultra-personable high school junior-to-be.
“Never a complaint,’’ Wagg said of Hollenbaugh, whose dedicated approach to getting better is mature way beyond his years. For nine-plus months, he has been laser-focused on his rehabilitation – sometimes difficult – with a smile and without hesitation.
“Phenomenal in his approach and his work ethic,’’ Wagg said of Hollenbaugh, who is 2-1, with a 3.67 earned-run average, having pitched in five games to date. Hollenbaugh has struck out 21 batters and walked only 7 for the Muskies. The gifted right-hander recently back squatted an impressive 385 pounds; to further prove the distance he has come since surgery.
“He has done everything I have asked,’’ Wagg added. “Never a complaint and always here when he is supposed to be, always ready to be challenged and to get better. He is a phenomenal young man from a great family.
Both Wagg and Hollenbaugh have created a tremendous bond through their time together, something only a therapist and the athlete whose life they are bettering together can understand.
A long road back needs a willing participant and a compassionate and dedicated therapist. Which is what you have with the team of Hollenbaugh, Wagg and Rock Valley Physical Therapy.
“He even helped with the (musculoskeletal side) of my anatomy class,’’ Hollenbaugh said of Wagg, who also streamed the Iowa-Nebraska football game on Black Friday so the two could catch glimpses of the contest during therapy. “And we have worked on improving our Spanish together. I trust him. He has made a tough situation fun, challenging and competitive at the same time.’’
Hollenbaugh has dreams of playing baseball after high school at whatever level his ability takes him. His dream school is Texas Christian University (TCU). His career path has also been influenced by the splendid work Wagg has done to get him better to return to play.
“I’d love a career as a physical therapist,’’ Hollenbaugh said. “I watch everyone here (Cedarwood) have a significant impact on the people they help every day. It is rewarding to see what they do. I have already been through what some will experience. I have seen the great work up close.’’
One of Wagg’s passions is working with athletes, helping those who have suffered injury safely return to play. He also takes considerable pride in educating athletes on how to safely prepare to physically meet the demands of competition.
“The window of opportunity to play is not a big one and you want to make sure – when an athlete is injured – to help them return to play at 100 percent and educate them on all they can do to stay healthy,’’ said Wagg.
“There is great satisfaction to see an athlete we have helped get back to competing and achieving their goals.’’
Even if it costs you 60 seconds of lunge holds.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller