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USU Eastern’s Tanner Hallock maintains physical health of student-athletes

Utah State University Eastern’s sole athletic trainer, Tanner Hallock, heads the care for athletes’ physical health.  

“My biggest goal here is to have athletes perform at their peak performance and give them the available resources to help them get to that point,” Hallock said.  

Hallock works under two directing physicians, and if he has any questions, concerns, or needs to refer somebody to an orthopedic doctor for imaging, he utilizes these physicians.  

Hallock also works with two physical therapy clinics where he can send athletes to help rehabilitate their injuries or recover after surgery. 

But Hallock said for lighter injuries like a sprained ankle, he takes care of them himself. 

“The minute that happens, I’m on site at all times,” Hallock said. “I immediately start rehab within minutes of the injury. I evaluate it, diagnose it and then start a plan to get them back as quickly as possible.” 

Hallock said with injuries, he’s not here to hold athletes back, but to push them forward.  

“My big thing is I want all my athletes to continue playing sports as long as they can do it safely and with a full, safe amount of function to be able to push through,” Hallock said. 

Sometimes, there is a season-ending injury for an athlete, such as a torn ACL. 

“That’s where I have to draw the line and say, ‘sorry, your season is over,’” Hallock said. “‘We’ll get you back for next season stronger than ever.’” 

Student athlete Rachel West said she has problems with her knees, and Hallock has been a resource in helping her find ways to function with the pain through a variety of approaches to the injury. 

“I feel like because of him teaching me how to tape and all that, I’ve been able to play better and longer,” West said.  

Danielle Jensen, head volleyball coach at USU Eastern, said Hallock is a valuable resource to the athletes not only for physical injuries, but also for the mental challenges that come with these injuries.                                                 

“I think one thing with the trainers is that when athletes get injured, it not only shocks them physically, but the main thing is that it kind of rocks them mentally,” Jensen said. “Being able to have a trainer who knows what to say and who knows how to approach it in a way so the athlete knows they are going to be OK and get them past that mental block has been really important, and Tanner has a way of doing that.” 

West said Hallock is good at helping athletes on an individualized level when it comes to their nutritional needs and training programs.   

West reflected on the individualized training program Hallock made for her. He rewrote the entire weights and conditioning program for the team. 

“This one’s been very volleyball specific, which has been fun to like, see the differences. I already feel like I’ve gotten so much stronger from i,t and it’s only been a couple of weeks,” West said. 

Hallock said at the end of the day, all of the sports teams come through the athletic training room at one point or another.  

“I know everyone on an individual level. I try to have communication and build those relationships with my athletes so I know who they are, what their goals are, and so that I can help them in any way possible,” Hallock said.