Western Colorado University Athletics

A two-time swimming All-American was one of three individuals entering the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame during the 15th induction ceremony Oct. 2, 2009. Lisa (Vandevier) Mapes set numerous program and conference records in her two seasons from 1983-84.

Mapes was a four-sport athlete between swimming, field hockey, basketball and track and field at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Ill. She set school records in the 100-yard butterfly in one minute, five seconds, and the 200-yard medley in 2:02. She was named the swimming team’s most valuable player and advanced to the Illinois state meet.

In her freshman season at Western State in 1983, Mapes earned her first All-American honor with a sixth-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle at the NAIA championships. She was one of four Mountaineer All-Americans at the meet, placing Western State No. 11 among 34 teams.

Mapes was a five-time RMAC champion in 1984 with titles in the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 400-yard medley and 800-freestyle medley. She also earned All-American honors in the 100-yard freestyle with a sixth-place performance. Western State finished No. 14 among the 35 teams at the NAIA national championships.

Mapes finished her career with RMAC records in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard butterfly and several Western State records. She led the Mountaineers to their third conference title in four years in 1984. She was part of the RMAC All-Century Women’s Swimming and Diving team last summer.

Western State discontinued the swimming program after the 1984 season and Mapes secured a full-ride athletic scholarship to Pepperdine University. But after a semester, she missed the mountains and returned to Gunnison to complete her degree.

Mapes competed on the Mountaineer track and field teams for her junior and senior seasons before completing a sociology degree in 1986. She earned her master’s degree in 1988 in education.

Mapes remained in the Gunnison Valley as a case worker, social services director and a therapist for Gunnison Mental Health before starting a private practice in 1993. After exiting the private practice in 1994, she started the Cosmic Cruisers Sled Dog Tours with her husband, Dave. Today, Lisa and Dave continue operating tours while raising two children, Ayla and Merlin.