Clarion Athletics

1988 Clarion University Grad - Accounting

Dave Peura, who became Clarion’s third NCAA Div. II individual national champion in the pool in 1988, led the Golden Eagle men’s swimming team to four outstanding seasons from 1985-88 as a Backstroke, Individual Medley and relay swimmer. Peura, a 12-time NCAA Division II All-American and a 7-time PSAC champion, helped lead Clarion to four straight PSAC team titles (1985-88), a four year dual record of 32-9 and four high NCAA finishes. In 1985 Dave won the 100 back at PSAC’s, placed 2nd in the 200 back and earned All-America honors in both events by finishing 4th and 8th respectively at nationals. In 1986 he won the 200 back and was second in the 100 at PSAC’s, plus helped the 400 medley relay team take first place honors. At nationals Peura was 6th in the 200 and 7th in the 100 back and the 400 medley relay team was 8th. In 1987 Dave won both the 100 and 200 backstroke events at PSAC’s and set new PSAC records in the process, while also winning the 400 medley relay. He was 2nd at nationals in the 200 back (edged out for the title) and third in the 100, setting new Clarion records in both events. The 400 medley relay was 4th. Then as a team captain in 1988 Dave was 1st in the 200 back at PSAC’s and 4th in the 100, setting the stage for nationals. He won the 200 backstroke national title with a time of 1:53.75, plus was third in the 100 back and the 400 medley relay was third. Clarion finished third at the NCAA’s in 1988 as a team, while also posting 5th place finishes in 1985 & 86 and 7th in 1987. He held the backstroke records at Clarion from 1985-92, and is still part of the 400 medley relay record. Coached by Bill Miller, he also was a Student Senator from 1985-87. A native of Ashtabula, Ohio and a 1984 Ashtabula grad, Dave now resides in Lewis Center, Ohio and is employed by Fifth Third Bank. Dave and wife Carole have a son Andrew and a daughter Anna.