Records tumble at Dannevirke High School's athletics champs

The sprinters were flying over the grass in the final of the intermediate boys' 100m on Monday afternoon.

There was some sizzling competition at the Dannevirke High School's annual athletics championships on Monday.

The event, normally known for the competition between students over who has the best costume, was this year marked by fierce rivalry in the track and field events, with a number of records broken.

"We've a number of serious athletes getting in touch with their potential this year," high school principal Dawid de Villiers said.

"Our athletes are keen to make the team for the East Coast championships and it's been very competitive today."

Dr de Villiers said although he was not sure what was driving the competition, he suspected it could be the Eliza McCartney factor.

McCartney, a bronze medallist in the pole vault at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and fellow Olympian Nick Willis were at the Potts Memorial Classic event at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in January.

Dr de Villiers said they appeared to have inspired the high school athletes who attended.

* More photos Saturday's edition of the Dannevirke News.