Tulis hiji continuation for this paragraph - Don Clary lahir di Anchorage, Alaska, sarta lulus ti East Anchorage High School dina taun 1975. Clary miboga kasuksésan kahijina salaku atlit junior (di handapeun 20) di 1975 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
di mana finish tempat kalima na nyandak juniors Amérika ka judul tim, barengan Bobby Thomas, Roy Kissin, sarta Ralph Serna. Manéhna tuluy ngahadiran Universitas Oregon jeung lumpat pikeun tim collegiate Oregon Ducks. Dina 1978 NCAA Divisi I Men's Cross Country Championships anjeunna nempatkeun katujuh sareng runner-up dina peringkat tim barengan sasama sakelasna Alberto Salazar. Manéhna lumpat dina 3000-meter steeplechase di 1978 AS Outdoor Track and Field Championships sarta ngahontal tempat katujuh. Manéhna meunang gelar nasional kahijina taun éta, kumaha oge, ngalakonan kitu dina hiji jam ngajalankeun.