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Mannenbach overcomes the odds By DON HUNT It's obvious that James Mannenbach hungers for success. At the ripe old age of 18 he's achieved a 4.0 grade point average, earned valedictorian honors and been a three-sport star at Eagle Point High. He's surely one of the most disciplined students to ever walk the halls at Eagle Point, and he's needed that self-control for something more important than academics and sports: his health. Mannenbach, who last month earned a scholarship to wrestle at Southern Oregon University, was born without an enzyme in his liver that breaks down phenylalinine, an amino acid that is prevalent in red meat, poultry, fish, wheat, nuts and dairy products, among other foods. The metabolic disorder, known as Phenylketonuria, or PKU, can lead to mental retardation if an affected person consumes the aforementioned foods because of high levels of phenylalinine reaching the brain. State law has mandated since 1963 that newborns be tested for the disorder, so Mannenbach's parents knew from the beginning that James had it. "Here's a kid who might be retarded by this time in his life had he been born 20 years earlier," says Jim Mannenbach, James' father. "And now here he is, a straight-A student and valedictorian. "The irony isn't lost on us." Mannenbach eats special kinds of bread, pasta and milk that come from a formula he orders out of Portland. "And I eat a lot of potatoes," he says. "People ask me how I can live without steak, chicken and stuff like that," he adds, "but the truth is I don't know what I'm missing because I've never had those things." Mannenbach's strict regimen at the dinner table has eased his efforts to maintain his wrestling weight of 171 pounds. He has also been a good role model for his younger brother Robbie, 11, who also has PKU. Mannenbach posted a 38-3 record for Eagle Point last winter, with all three of his losses coming to state champion Shane Webster of Crater. Webster was the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the nation at 171 last season. "It was frustrating knowing that most years I probably would have won a state championship in that weight class," says Mannenbach, who was runner-up to Webster, "but that's over with. I'm ready to move on." Mannenbach could step in and start at 174 pounds for Southern Oregon. The Raiders have an All-American at that weight - Zachary Mock - but Raiders coach Mike Ritchey says Mock is earning a good living on a road paving crew in Nevada and may not return to school. "Mannenbach is the type of kid who could step in and be successful as a freshman," Ritchey says. "He's tough in all three areas - on top, on the bottom and on his feet. "And he's very consistent. I think James is a perfect fit for our program." Mannenbach knows he must continue to watch his diet when he arrives at SOU. Studies have shown that college students with PKU who waver from their diets lose IQ points. Other than one enzyme and a couple of matches, Mannenbach isn't used to losing anything that's meaningful. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.