CPU’s Rathbun wrestles with diabetes

CENTER POINT — Brock Rathbun was nervous and uncertain about his chances to win.

The Center Point-Urbana senior faced an unfamiliar opponent that threatened his final prep wrestling campaign. Rathbun composed himself, did his homework and was ready for a fight after being diagnosed with Type-I diabetes in September.

'I knew nothing about it at all,' Rathbun said. 'I was kind of scared. I was freaking out about whether or not I was going to be able to wrestle and do everything.

'I found out that I could still do everything. I have to watch it very carefully and keep track of things.'

The two-time Class 2A state champion and three-time state finalist has maintained his dominance on the mat, posting a 41-0 mark this season and pinning his way to the 126-pound Wamac Conference title Saturday at Vinton.

Top-ranked Rathbun, a University of Iowa recruit, will begin his trek for a third state title Saturday at a sectional meet hosted by Union Community in La Porte City.

The postseason was the furthest thing from Rathbun's mind when symptoms started to surface in the summer, following the Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D. He realized something was wrong when he developed an unquenchable thirst with frequent urination.

'I was drinking and drinking, and I was peeing like every 20 minutes,' Rathbun said. 'It was really weird because that has never happened before. I noticed my face was getting really skinny, like I was cutting weight. I was like 15 pounds lighter than usual.'

He approached his father, Dan, and they visited the doctor. On Sept. 2, the very same day of his appointment, Rathbun learned his pancreas didn't function properly.

The older Rathbun was more concerned with his son's health than wrestling.

'We didn't know what to think,' said Dan Rathbun, praising the specialist for applying treatment to the demands of wrestling. 'To us, if he couldn't do it, he couldn't do it. He already had a pretty impressive career, even if he had to skip a year.

'We didn't know anything about it. He had to do a lot of research.'

Rathbun attacked it like one of the many opponents that have led to 178 career wins, including a current 137-match win streak. He discovered other wrestlers who have competed with diabetes, including Cadet World champion and Pennsylvania prep Jarod Verkleeren.

They exchange messages and Rathbun tries to learn from Verkleeren and other athletes, who have shown it can be overcome.

'They're being successful,' Rathbun said. 'I know it can be done.'

Rathbun opens the morning by checking his blood sugar. He used to give himself injections in the stomach when he was low, but now has a pump, which attaches to a catheter under the skin that provides a dose to regulate blood sugar. The catheter gets changed regularly, and occasionally is yanked out by the contact in the sport.

He also monitors his levels early in the school day, immediately after and before practice. Rathbun takes insulin before lunch. If his levels are low, he has to eat before being active.

The discipline from the sport has helped him handle the disease. He said he is more in tune with his body and it will even benefit him in the long run.

'I feel like I've been watching it good,' Rathbun said. 'Keeping it under control and knowing what I need to do has helped me a lot. I just know how my body works now.'

Weight loss plays a part in the sport for some wrestlers. Rathbun learned how to cut properly. The ability to do it took some time to figure out, Dan Rathbun said.

'I definitely need to take more time to cut weight,' Rathbun said. 'I can't cut all my weight in five days or a week anymore. I have to space it out longer, because I have to eat throughout the whole day.'

Rathbun carries a needle with him and has instructed coaches on the proper response if his levels fall during practice or competition, according to Dan Rathbun.

The learning process is constant as he figures what he must do to balance the rigorous demands of wrestling.

'He's more independent,' Dan Rathbun said. 'He has to take care of it himself.

'He knows how he feels if he's high or low and what he has to do to take care of it. There is really nothing we can do for him other than take him to the doctor. He's on his own.'

Dan Rathbun admitted that it can be scary at times, especially when he watched his son lie face down with arms out on the mat after one match this season. He hadn't passed out, but was woozy. He learned from the experience to avoid a recurrence.

'It makes him extra tough,' Dan Rathbun said. 'Wrestling is hard to begin with (and) a lot of kids can't handle that and throw this on top of it.'

For his 18th birthday in December, Rathbun asked for a tattoo. This wasn't just a random request for ink. It served a purpose. He sports the blue-and-green ribbon that symbolizes Type-I diabetes. Dan Rathbun obliged.

'He's not afraid to share what he's got,' Dan Rathbun said. 'It's not his fault that he's got it. There's nothing he can do about it. Just deal with it.'

Rathbun embraces the responsibility of being a role model for other young athletes, who have or may face diabetes. He hasn't slowed down and didn't allow it to sideline him.

'I realize I can be an example,' Rathbun said. 'One of my friend's teachers asked him about it. They told her if I ever figure it out and get it under control to let them know because their kid has diabetes.'

Rathbun has faced few challenges on the mat as he looks to become the 81st three-time state hampion in Iowa history and 53rd four-time finalist. He said he expects a tough test at sectional and district.

'This season has gone so fast,' said Rathbun, who has titles at 120 and 113 after a runner-up finish at 106 as a freshman. 'It seems like it just started. I'm excited for state to get here.

'I feel really good.'

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