Deby LaPlante

Deby LaPlante ran the high hurdles for Eastern Michigan University. She was twice AAU Champion in the 100 hurdles, in 1978-79, and indoors won two AAU titles in the 60 yard hurdles in 1976 and 1978. She competed in the 1975 and 1979 Pan-American Games, winning medals both times, a silver in 1975 and gold in 1979. LaPlante also ran the hurdles at the 1979 World Cup, placing fourth. In 1978-79 LaPlante set four US records in the high hurdles. She competed at the 1980 US Olympic Trials, and was leading that final when she hit a hurdle and fell. Born as Deby Lansky, she married Fred LaPlante, the US women’s hurdles coach who also coached track & field at San Diego State University from 1979-83, although they later divorced. LaPlante also appeared in the track & field movie Personal Best as one of the extras doing the actual athletics.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.94 (1979); 200 – 24.44 (1979); 100H – 12.86 (1979).