On The Up: Dannevirke Athletics Club 1999 under-18 high jump record broken by William Easton

William Easton, 16, has broken the Dannevirke Athletics Club under 18 high jump record set by Michael Harris in 1999. Photos / Dannevirke High School

A 16-year-old Dannevirke high jumper has broken an under-18 record set in the town more than two decades ago.

William Easton, who has only been competing for the last year and a half, said the triumph happened during a Dannevirke Athletics Club meet on February 18.

That particular meet only happens for a week each year to give athletes a chance to make their mark and beat previous records set, Easton said.

The Year 12 student from Dannevirke High School broke the 1999 record of 168cm set by Michael Harris, and jumped 177cm.

“It felt pretty good beating the record.

“I have been wanting to break this record since I broke last year’s record, and my ultimate goal was to come through and break this record a year early, and next year further the record to set it higher.”

William Easton said he enjoys the focus needed to carry out a jump.

Easton said in 2025 he broke the under-16 record, which he said was 173cm.

While he said he was proud, it’s just the start. He would be attempting a triple long jump record on Wednesday night and then the school’s high jump record on Friday.

He said his favourite part about the sport was when he locked in to carry out a jump.

“I like getting into the mindset of having focus, you have got to go in and out of focus with each jump ... you have to be able to snap in and out.”

Easton said he had honed his Fosbury flop technique and was working hard on building muscle.

“A lot of explosiveness at the gym, trying to get as much power to my legs as possible, lots of box jumps, short sprints, and weighted squats.”

Dannevirke High School took to social media to congratulate Easton.

“Congratulations and sensational to William Easton, who just broke the Dannevirke U18 Athletics Club record ... Ka mau te wehi, William.”

Easton said that as well as the record attempts, he hoped to be able to jump a height of 180cm by the time of the NZ track and field club nationals in Auckland in March.

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.