Phil Ward is tough-as-nails, but the 80-year-old record-setting powerlifter knew – once he heard the “crunch’’ in his left knee – trouble had arrived.
“I slipped stepping off a curb, and fell,’’ said Ward, who has gained national attention as a powerlifter, including his 2026 Cornhusker (Nebraska) State Games powerlifting championship. His bench press of 176 pounds (80k) set a state record for his age and what is unofficially a world record for his age and weight class. The ever-upbeat and always-energetic Ward began his weightlifting career at age 65.
“I heard some crunching when I went down and it was painful to walk for the next week,’’ Ward added.
It was determined – after a visit to his doctor – Ward had sprained his left knee's medial collateral ligament (MCL) and suffered meniscal damage. His physician recommended Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Elkhorn, Neb. clinic (1405 N 205th St., Suite #140, 402 289-5013) for rehabilitation for left knee pain and instability.
It was there Ward found himself under the watchful eye of Rock Valley’s Zach Bennetts, PT, DPT. Gifted, knowledgeable and compassionate, Bennetts is in the early stages of his Rock Valley Physical Therapy career.
In having a grasp and understanding of Ward’s injury and a plan to better his life, Bennetts also realized he would be working with someone who is goal-oriented and who possesses a keen sense of the importance of movement.
Not all 80-year-olds are blessed enough to be as active as Ward. To that, not all 30-somethings are as determined to keep moving and be challenged physically as Ward.
“Phil loves working out every day with his trainer and also likes taking long walks around his neighborhood,’’ Bennetts said. “So, our plan to get him back to these activities included skilled physical therapy to improve hip strengthening, knee range of motion, neuromuscular stability, and a plan to progressively return to functional activities.’’
Over the course of treatment, Bennetts put Ward through a bevy of life-bettering strengthening, balance, and flexibility exercises, all challenging and all beyond helpful.
Bennetts, from Ward’s perspective, was thorough; he was a great teacher, and a tremendous listener and motivator, who made therapy fun albeit challenging.
“Zach was so professional, and did a great job,’’ Ward said. “Some of the exercises were walking on the treadmill, doing leg presses, stair steps, and several balance-related exercises.
“I also had to balance on one foot and throw a ball into a net, having straps on my feet and stretching sideways about 18 inches. I also did the same stretch at a 30-degree angle with each leg (about 36 of those),’’ added Ward. “I balanced on one leg at a time on a soft rubber pad and on the same pad lifting up with my toes with each leg. And there was the exercise of laying on my side and elevating my legs with four-pound weights on my ankle. I haven't done leg extensions for the last three years because of the pain in my right knee and (thanks to Bennetts’ plan) I did 20 lifts in a row with no pain. As I look back on my accident, it may have been a good thing because I feel so much better. All my gains have nothing to do with me but totally with Zach, a true professional.’’
As big of a fan as Ward is of Bennetts, the first-year therapist is equally impressed with the senior strongman.
“Phil was always excellent to work with,’’ Bennetts said. “No matter the difficulty or intensity of the intervention, he was ready for more with no complaints. He has a high level of intrinsic motivation and uses this to continually progress and execute his home exercises.’’
A Denton, Neb. native, Bennetts earned his undergraduate degree in Biology and Exercise Science from Concordia University (Nebraska) and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from UNMC.
He says he has found his true calling as a physical therapist.
“I got into the PT world because getting to interact with people every day while changing their lives through exercise fills my bucket and keeps me wanting to come back day after day,’’ Bennetts said. “I have seen how exercise and activity have affected, not only my own, but my family/friends lives as well.’’
In addition to finding the right career path, Bennetts knows he found the perfect work family as he dedicates himself to bettering the lives of those in his care. It didn’t take long to understand just how special life with Rock Valley Physical Therapy truly can be, especially having found the perfect fit as a member of the Elkhorn team.
“I accepted a position at Rock Valley because our model of physical therapy gives patients the exact right amount of care they need and allows one-on-one time to provide high-quality physical therapy interventions every day,’’ Bennetts said. “The veteran staff at the Elkhorn location have made my first few months of working as a full-time PT stress free. I have relied on Brandon (Gannon, PT, DPT) and Vicki (Watton, PT, DPT) with all the questions I have, so their support is tremendous. Brandon is my RockU mentor, and our sessions have helped me get more comfortable with various aspects of patient care that just doesn't transfer from classroom knowledge.’’
Phil Ward, Zach Bennetts, and Rock Valley Physical are proof the perfect path to better lives can be traveled.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller
