Athlete of the Week: Lincoln East’s Jeter Worthley
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Whether it’s behind the plate or under center, Jeter Worthley has made his name known at Lincoln East.
The junior has been a fixture on the baseball team for the past two seasons, helping the Spartans to a Class A state title in 2023.
Worthley carries a .414 batting average with 21 hits, one home run and a team-leading 10 stolen bases this season.
His abilities caught the eye of the University of Michigan.
In February 2022, Worthley made his decision to commit to the Wolverines, where he plans to study sports journalism or communications.
He said the coaches there checks in with him regularly.
“It just keeps getting better and better and more excited to, you know, get on campus and go there, you know, build a strong relationship with the coaching staff.”
The opportunity will give Worthley a chance to step up to the plate against his role model: his brother Jalen, a sophomore reliever at Nebraska.
“Ever since we were younger, you know, he’s kind of guided me,” Worthley said.
And now he is following in Jalen’s footsteps.
Worthley wears the number 42 to honor his older brother.
“He wore the same jersey senior year,” Worthley said. “So obviously, my sophomore year, when I got the chance to pick a number, it was a no-brainer.”
Worthley has played in the DREAM Series, a development camp for elite high school baseball players, predominantly African Americans.
He said it gave him the opportunity to learn from athletes who have played at the highest level.
“I’m blessed to have had the chance to compete in it and pick the brains of former big leaguers,” he said.
Off the field, Worthley remains focused on the sports season and his academics.
He also enjoys spending quality time with his family “every chance I get,” especially when big brother is in town.
“I don’t go see Jalen all the time,” Worthley said. “So every time he comes home, I like to stay home and, you know, hang out with him.”
