Tally Wilson hasn’t been at Cullman too long, but she’s already turned more than her fair share of heads.

Some could even say the talented senior has vaulted right into the spotlight.

Not exactly an unfamiliar position for Wilson.

On Wednesday, the accomplished pole vaulter and high jumper continued her meteoric rise, signing a track and field scholarship with Samford in the presence of family, friends, teammates, coaches and administrators inside the high school library.

Last summer, Wilson wouldn’t have dreamed of the Birmingham-based institution being her next stop on the road.

“I didn’t even know about Samford until somebody said something randomly one day,” she said. “I contacted the coach and asked if I couldn’t come down for a visit. I just loved it. It’s very exciting.”

Wilson spent her entire life in Michigan until moving to Cullman just two days before the start of the school year in August after her mother, Suzanne, accepted a job close to Smith Lake.

Her father, Ron, currently resides in Lansing, where he spends his days as an Air Force general.

The distance, however, didn’t stop him from joining his daughter’s big day via Skype. He’s even been able to make it down for a couple of events this season.

“It was hard moving here at first,” Wilson said. “I started out playing volleyball and made a few friends. Now I’m here. It’s a pretty big difference. The sports are way more competitive here, in my opinion. I definitely don’t miss those Michigan winters.”

As a junior, Wilson won the Michigan D4 state pole vault competition after clearing 11-1 in the outdoor event. Back in February, she collected first for the Bearcats in the Class 6A indoor state pole vault with an 11-3 leap.

When Cullman heads to Gulf Shores in May for this year’s state outdoor meet, Wilson is likely to take home yet another gold medal, provided she “stays focused.”

“I want to jump my grade,” she said. “I was 9′ in ninth grade, 10′ in 10th grade, 11′ in 11th grade and I want to clear 12′ at state. It’s a challenge, but that’s my goal. I’d really like to do that.”

Black and Gold coach Kristen Barnett has little doubt Wilson can accomplish the feat.

After all, it’s not every day a program delivers a Division-I signee.

“When I first heard about her transferring into Cullman, I was really excited,” Barnett said. “She’s really helped the other pole vaulters with technique and advice. It’s been nice to have someone with different knowledge from another state come in and help everybody out on the team. These kids really buy into the program. Days like this are a testament of their hard work.”

Wilson, who hopes to pursue Air Force ROTC and nursing while at Samford, isn’t exactly counting down the days to graduation.

Instead, she plans on savoring every last second at a home that’s welcomed her with open arms.

“I’ve really enjoyed Cullman,” Wilson said. “The move happened so quickly, but it’s been a really great experience for me.”