It took quite a bit for Sydney Wilson finally to realize that it all really was happening.

Wednesday, she officially had become a Jayhawk.

“If you would have told me a few months ago, I probably would have been surprised,” Wilson said after signing her letter of intent with Kansas University. “But right now it’s kind of sinking in that it’s a reality and no longer a dream.”

Wilson wasn’t the only Lawrence High athlete Wednesday turning lifelong aspirations into reality. Senior Brian Heere also made his intentions official, signing to play for the KU baseball team.

“It was always my first goal,” Heere said. “When I was a kid, I dreamed of playing Division I.”

Heere helped lead the Lawrence Raiders’ summer American Legion team to its third consecutive state title over the summer.

The center fielder and leadoff hitter homered in the semifinals and finals of the state tournament.

A strong defensive outfielder with speed to burn, Heere followed KU as a youngster.

Additional persuasion came from Raiders coach Kevin Tucker, who also is a baseball assistant with the Jayhawks.

“Coach Tucker said he’d really like to have me in the office and show me around,” Heere said.

After visiting, the senior was sold, choosing a partial scholarship at KU over other junior-college offers.

Heere, also the starting quarterback on the LHS football team, said he likely would switch to left field next year. He had not yet discussed the possibility of red-shirting with Kansas coach Ritch Price.

“They have a lot of seniors that are outfielders,” Heere said, “and I have a lot to learn.”

Meanwhile, Wilson will come to Kansas knowing that she has a lot to accomplish – and much more she can master.

The three-sport standout finally will be able to focus on golf next year, an event she has excelled in since taking second at state her sophomore year.

“I feel like golf is still pretty fresh,” Wilson said. “I haven’t played it nearly as much as I should have.”

Though she still has a basketball season to play out, Wilson promised her allegiance to the links as soon as the weather turned warm again.

“I’m going to spend as much time at the golf course as I can,” she said.

Wilson, who finished third overall her junior year and 14th this season, would like to make an immediate impact for the Jayhawks.

More than anything, though, she will work hard to add another chapter to her dream come true.

“My goal ever since I was a little kid was to play for a Division I college,” Wilson said. “That was probably the biggest goal I ever had.”