Provo • TikTok is home to all types of videos. Whether funny or cringey, people can find all types of addicting posts on the video-sharing social network.
Earlier this week, BYU pole vaulter Zach McWhorter shared a TikTok that falls into the latter category.
In the post, which as of Thursday has more than 5.3 million views, the 21-year-old is practicing a routine jump, but is impaled in his scrotum by the pole on his way down after he clears the bar.
McWhorter shared a photo of his punctured shorts with Buzzfeed, which was the first to report on the incident.
“I could see right into my scrotum,” McWhorter told Buzzfeed.
@zach_mcwhorter That one time the pole went through my nuts... 18 stitches! #fail #polevault #athletics #trackandfield #ouch
♬ Mask Off - 抖音小助手
Luckily for the freshman, his father Rick is not only his coach, but also a urologist.
Rick McWhorter holds the 10th-best all-time mark in pole vault for the Cougars.
“Immediately after the incident, we got in his car and drove to the hospital and he sewed me up,” McWhorter said. “It required 18 stitches!”
McWhorter, a returned missionary, so far recorded his personal best mark (5.61m/18-4.75) at the 2020 Dr. Sander Invite in New York back in January. The freshman was also recruited by Baylor, Texas Tech, Kentucky, Georgia, Air Force Academy, Stanford, Ole Miss, Kansas and Washington.
While the injury is most likely going to slow him down for the next few weeks, he looks to still have a good career at BYU.
If anything, his new-found TikTok fame could at least shine the spotlight on BYU's track and field program.
“Fortunately, as far as I know, there is nothing wrong with my testicles – just a scar,” McWhorter said. “One day, we’ll find out if they function or not …”
