Hutto names LaPlante head coach
When Hutto kicked off spring practice Tuesday, the Hippos were doing their best to impress a new head coach.
Brad LaPlante, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was directing workouts after succeeding Steve Van Meter, who led the Hippos to a 39-20 record and four playoff appearances in his five seasons. LaPlante’s hiring was announced Thursday during the monthly meeting of the Hutto school board.
During LaPlante’s fouryear tenure as offensive coordinator, Hutto set various school records on offense. Last season, the Hippos averaged 43.1 points, posted an 11-2 record and reached the third round of the Class 5A, Division II playoffs.
Under LaPlante’s tutelage, junior Chase Griffin has become the school’s alltime leading passer, accumulating 7,158 yards and 71 touchdowns in two seasons as a starter.
LaPlante, a Minnesota native, said Hutto has felt like home since he arrived.
“Coming to Hutto in 2014 was a blessing for our family,” LaPlante said in a news release. “Working for a legend and friend like coach Van Meter, along with the staff he assembled, was everything it was advertised to be. I can’t wait to work with Hutto ISD administration, staff and students and to serve Hippo Nation as athletic director and head football coach.”
Heisman celebration headed to Bee Cave: Four days before the 2018 NFL draft, probable first-round pick Baker Mayfield — the reigning Heisman Trophy winner — will return to his roots, joining fans for the “Lake Travis Heisman Celebration” on Sunday at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. and will include an autograph session with Mayfield, who quarterbacked Lake Travis High to a UIL state championship in 2011 before going on to star at Oklahoma. Last season, he won the Heisman after throwing for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns to help the Sooners qualify for the College Football Playoff.
Gillman named to Curtis Cup team: Former Lake Travis standout Kristen Gillman, now a sophomore at Alabama, was among the eight golfers named to the U.S. team that will compete June 8-10 in the Curtis Cup at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.
A biennial competition, the Curtis Cup matches an American team against an eight-player squad from Great Britain and Ireland. The three-day event consists of six foursome matches, six four-ball matches and eight singles matches.
Gillman, 20, earned AllSEC and All-America honors as a freshman and is enjoying a stellar sophomore season. She was ranked No. 6 in the Golfstat NCAA player rankings released April 3. As a senior at Lake Travis, she won the Class 6A girls individual championship in 2016.