Both Anna Katherine Eastman and Will Thompson accomplished long-held goals on Wednesday.

The Cullman High standouts signed respective scholarships — Eastman to the University of Montevallo and Thompson to the University of Alabama in Huntsville — surrounded by family, friends, coaches, teammates and administrators inside Tillman Hall.

Eastman will play basketball for the Division II Lady Falcons.

Thompson, meanwhile, will run cross country and track for the Division II Chargers.

See below for complete capsules on each athlete:

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Anna Katherine Eastman

% School: University of Montevallo

% Sport: Basketball

% Profile: Averaged 15.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the 2018-19 season. Had 116 steals and nine blocks. All-Area and All-State selection in 2018-19. Holds state record for consecutive free throws made with 43. All-Area selection in 2017-18. Has 1,345 career points.

% Player Speak: “I think it’s for sure exciting, because you work your whole life for this. You get in the gym, and there are days you don’t want to get up. It’s cool to see that hard work pay off. And to get everybody to celebrate that with you, it’s really heartwarming and exciting for me.” — Anna Katherine Eastman

% Coach Speak: “It’s always special to coach kids who love to play the game, have a passion for getting better and just want to be the best they can be. We’ve never asked Anna Katherine to be anything except the best that she can be. And she’s worked her tail off to be that. For her to have the opportunity to play at the next level, in a good program like Montevallo, I love that for her. Just a special young lady. On the court, everybody sees that. She’s a great teammate and leader for us. But off the court, she’s an incredible sister, daughter and friend. She’s somebody who lives her life in such a way that people look up to. I’m proud of all her accomplishments. Excited to see her play at the next level but also excited for the next 33-34 games we have left with her, hopefully, as one of the most decorated basketball players in Cullman history.” — Josh Hembree

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Will Thompson

% School: University of Alabama in Huntsville

% Sport: Cross Country and Track

% Profile: Won three meets — Dew It On The Trails, Kudzu Hills Invitational and Class 6A, Section 5 — this season. All-State Cross Country (2018-19). All-Area Runner of the Year (2018). Thompson holds numerous cross country and track records for Cullman as well.

% Player Speak: “I’m really excited to attend UAH next year. The team, the coaching staff, the campus is all great. It’s something I’ve really been looking forward to since my campus visit. Today, it all came together and hit me in the face when I was sitting down. It was ‘Hey, I’m not going to be here next year.’ But when I leave this family, I’m going to another one that I’ll cherish hopefully just as much as I do the one at Cullman High School.” — Will Thompson

% Coach Speak: “We had a team meeting yesterday. The state meet is over, and it’s time to look forward. But one of the things we reflected on was the 14-week buildup through the summer and into the season and seeing the fruit of it. We used Will as an example. We said, ‘Hey guys, if you want to know disappointment, go back and look at Will’s sophomore year.’ They laughed, and Will laughed. Because his sophomore year, he didn’t get any better hardly. I then asked, ‘How did he respond to it?’ He said back then, ‘It’s behind me, and it’s time to get better.’ Will really got serious about his work then. There were some long evenings, especially during track season. And now we are seeing the fruit of it. He’s the greatest runner in Cullman High School history. It’s really exciting to be a part of that and see him grow like he has.” — Trent Dean