BYU COUGARS

BYU Pole Vaulter Suffers Gut-Wrenching Groin Injury, Video Goes Viral On Social Media

Feb 20, 2020, 6:01 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2020, 11:53 am

Zach McWhorter - BYU Track and Field...

Courtesy of BYU Photo

PROVO, Utah – BYU men’s track and field athlete Zach McWhorter recently shared a video of him suffering a traumatic groin injury on campus. Since then, the video has gone viral on social media.

McWhorter, a freshman in Provo, shared a video of his pole vaulting injury on the social media platform, Tik Tok.

During McWhorter’s pole vaulting, he vaulted over the crossbar before landing on the pole, directly between his legs.

@zach_mcwhorterThat one time the pole went through my nuts… 18 stitches! #fail #polevault #athletics #trackandfield #ouch♬ Mask Off – 抖音小助手

After landing on the ground, McWhorter examined himself to determine the extent of his injury.

“I could see right into my scrotum,” the BYU pole vaulter told Buzzfeed.

Fortunately for McWhorter, his father is a urologist and was able to assist his son after the gashing injury.

“Immediately after the incident, we got in his car and drove to the hospital and he sewed me up,” said McWhorter. “It required 18 stitches!”

The freshman said he escaped any major damage.

“Fortunately, as far as I know, there is nothing wrong with my testicles. Just a scar. One day, we’ll find out if they function or not…” McWhorter added.

His personal best mark/time with the Cougars came at the 5.61m/18-4.75 during the 2020 Dr. Sander Invite.

Before arriving at BYU, McWhorter was a USATF National Champion in 2016. He was a four-time Arkansas state champion in the pole vault and 7A record holder.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

BYU Cougars

BYU football, TV info, Baylor, Legend Glasker...

Mitch Harper

TV info, kickoff time revealed for BYU’s home game against Baylor

BYU looks to get back on track when they host the Baylor Bears this Saturday in Provo.

1 day ago

Bear Bachmeier, BYU football, Takeaways, Utah Utes...

Mitch Harper

Takeaways from No. 9 BYU’s rivalry loss at No. 3 Utah

Takeaways from the 28-20 setback in Salt Lake City on Saturday morning.

2 days ago

BYU basketball, takeaways, Bruce Branch III...

Mitch Harper

Instant takeaways: No. 25 BYU cruises past Omaha in home opener

BYU improves to 2-0 to open the 2026-27 season after defeating Omaha.

3 days ago

BYU/Utah, Bear Bachmeier, Preview, Prediction...

Mitch Harper

BYU game day preview + prediction: Heavyweight fight awaits against No. 3 Utah

It's go time in a historic chapter of the BYU-Utah rivalry.

3 days ago

LJ Martin, injury status, BYU football, Utah Utes...

Mitch Harper

LJ Martin is key storyline entering No. 9 BYU’s road showdown at No. 3 Utah

All eyes are on BYU running back LJ Martin.

3 days ago

BYU Basketball, Jaxon Kohler, Omaha preview...

Mitch Harper

No. 25 BYU basketball vs. Omaha: How to watch, stream, listen

Home-opener for BYU basketball in the 2026-27 season.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

KSL Sports

Northern Utah Player of the Week – Parker Moffat

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by families of featured athletes...

KSL Sports

Northern Utah Player of the Week – Week 7 – Carson Murphy

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Stacia Peoples & Gavin Lowe

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Rachel McBride & Lincoln Smith

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Janiece Sikander & Brody Thompson

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Evy Roberts & Krew Eckman

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

BYU Pole Vaulter Suffers Gut-Wrenching Groin Injury, Video Goes Viral On Social Media