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Rick McWhorter

Rick McWhorter

TitleVolunteer Assistant Track and Field Coach
Emailrick_mcwhorter@byu.edu
Rick McWhorter

Responsibilities

  • Coaches pole vault for the men's and women's track & field teams

Coaching History

  • Has been with the BYU program since 2019 as a volunteer assistant coach working with the pole vaulters. In just five short years, his athletes have produced 14 All-American performances. These All-Americans consist of his son Zach McWhorter (five-time All-American), Caleb Witsken (five-time All-American), Cailee Faulkner (two-time All-American) Rebekah Erikson and Elise Romney. 
  • Son Zach McWhorter holds the indoor and outdoor school records of 5.85m (19’2.5”) and 5.76m(18’10.75”) respectively. Since graduation, Zach has jumped 5.86m and placed 2nd at the USA Championships and 8th at the World Championships in Budapest Hungary in 2023. His 5.86m jump is the best jump in history by a left handed vaulter. Coach Rick had the opportunity to coach his son at both the USA and World Championships—designated as a Team Coach by the USATF.
  • Former athlete Caleb Witsken finished his college career with a new outdoor PR of 5.60m—placing 6th at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships. 
  • The BYU Men's Vault squad has been ranked consistently among the top three programs in the country by the United States Track and Field Coaches Association. The BYU Women's Vault squad has been ranked in the top 15.

Track & Field History

  • McWhorter competed on the BYU track and field team from 1991-1994 as a pole vaulter. During his time at BYU he was the WAC champion with a personal best mark of 5.41m (17’9”). He still remained on the top 10 all-time BYU record board when he arrived in 2019, but has since been knocked off the board by his athletes.

Years at BYU

  • 2019-present

Education

  • Residency (Penn State Geisinger Medical Center, completed in 2003)
  • MD Medicine (University of Texas, 1998)
  • BS Human Biology (BYU, 1994)

Mission

  • Barranquilla, Colombia (1987-1989)

Personal

  • Coaching has always been his passion. He started the USATF XGravity Vault Club and has also been an assistant track coach at HarBer High School in Springdale, Arkansas for 8 years. His athletes have earned nine Arkansas state pole vault titles as well as three USATF national titles.

  • He has four grown children — Jacob (wife Emily), Madeleine Tullis (husband Benton), Zach and Charlotte. He spends his free time babysitting his two granddaughters Hazel Jane and Eloise, fly fishing and traveling around the globe.
  • Currently has his medical practice in Provo and works for Intermountain Utah Valley Urology Clinic.