McWhorter wins National Athlete of the Week

Zach McWhorter celebrates a pole vault at the 2021 Indoor Track and Field National Championships

NEW ORLEANS -- BYU sophomore pole vaulter Zach McWhorter was honored as National Athlete of the Week by the USTFCCCA, the organization announced Tuesday.

McWhorter cleared 5.82m/19-1.25 to seize first place in the men's pole vault at the BYU December Invite on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Smith Fieldhouse. With the clearance, the sophomore from Springdale, Arkansas soared past his own school record set a season ago at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships (5.80m/19-0.25). McWhorter's record-breaking mark is tied for No. 8 in NCAA Division I history with Istvan Bagyula of George Mason who set the mark in 1992.

The USTFCCCA reported that this marks the first time since 2015 in which a BYU athlete has received National Athlete of the Week honors during the indoor season.

Teammate Caleb Witsken combined with McWhorter for two of the top-3 pole vault marks in the nation during the week of Dec. 7-13.

The returning indoor All-American now owns the top two spots on the BYU men's indoor pole vault top-10 board and is coached by his father, former BYU pole vaulter, Rick McWhorter.

McWhorter and the Cougars will be back in action at their second indoor home meet at the Smith Fieldhouse on Jan. 13-15.

BYU Men's Indoor Pole Vault Top-10 Board

Name	Mark (ft)	Mark (m)	Year
Zach McWhorter	19'1.25	5.82	2022
Zach McWhorter	19'0.25	5.80	2021
Robison Pratt	18'8.25	5.70	2006
Jeff Hansen	18'2.25	5.54	2002
Victor Weirich	18'2.00	5.54	2013
Braydon Bringhurst	18'0.50	5.50	2014
Caleb Witsken	18'0.50	5.50	2021
Robert Low	17'10.50	5.45	2009
Dave Brannen	17'10.50	5.45	1991
Matt Weirich	17'10.25	5.44	2008
Chris Little	17'9.25	5.42	2011