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Even if you were standing outside the old gym on the Augie campus in the mid-1970's during a wrestling match, you probably knew when Clare Duda was wrestling. A popular wrestler for the Vikings, he was always greeted with chants of "Du-Da, Du-Da, Du-Da!" when he took the mat. Clare matched the enthusiasm of the fans and put together an outstanding wrestling career.
In 1975, Clare captured the NCC Championship at 177 pounds and posted a 19-5-1 season record. His senior year, Clare posted a 26-7 record, including a school record 18 pins. At the national tournament, he earned the "Pinner's Trophy" with four wins by fall on the way to third place and All-America distinction. That year he was one of Augustana's first wrestling All-
Americans.
Clare had a big hand in the growing success of the Augustana wrestling program in the 1970's. Proud of his team accomplishments, he wrote, "Being a part of Augie's first wrestling All-Americans was a goal and a dream. Under third year coach Paul Kendle, we helped bring Augustana to a new standard. Kendle was a great coach and mentor, and we remain friends today."
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