A high school wrestler died in the lake a day after disappearing during traditional swimming activities
High school wrestler, 18, died in a lake a day after disappearing during the swim portion of a traditional school ‘scavenger hunt’ days before he was due to graduate
- Victor Rodriguez disappeared from Lake Alcyon around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday
- His body was recovered Monday after a search involving several dive teams
A New Jersey high school wrestler has been found dead in a lake a day after he disappeared while swimming as part of a school “scavenger hunt” days before he was due to graduate.
Victor Rodriguez, 18, a senior and member of the wrestling team at Pitman High School in Gloucester County, disappeared around 8:45 p.m. Sunday after going swimming in Alcyon Lake.
Rodriguez’s cap and gown will be placed on an empty seat during the school’s graduation on Wednesday night, NBC 10 reported.
“There was another person on the other side of the lake and one on this side of the lake and they both tried to help, but they were quick, a little overwhelmed themselves,” said Pitman Police Chief Dan McAteer, after his body was found. salvaged. the lake on Monday, adding that they were checked by EMS upon return.
Several dive teams, sonar equipment and cadaver dogs were deployed to find the teen’s body after a nighttime search, but the grassy conditions in the lake made it difficult for the divers.
Victor Rodriguez, 18, a senior and member of the wrestling team at Pitman High School in Gloucester County, disappeared around 8:45 p.m. Sunday after going swimming in Alcyon Lake
Swimming is not allowed in the 17.5-acre Alcyon Lake, which is about 10 to 12 feet deep, and it is very dark in the area at night, making it difficult to patrol, McAteer said, according to NJ.com.
‘It is a vegetation that occurs in the lake. It’s very thick,” McAteer said, according to the news outlet. ‘Deep-rooted but very close to the surface.’
Rodriguez had attempted to swim across the lake as part of the school’s traditional scavenger hunt.
“It’s been going on for over 15 years,” senior Sean Powell told NBC 10. “One of the challenges is swimming across the lake for points. You get points for it. You have to record it and unfortunately something tragic has happened.’
He added, “It doesn’t even feel real. Honestly. I wrestled with the boy for about six months.’
Pitman Borough Mayor Michael Razze said in a statement on Facebook, “It is with great sadness that Victor has been recovered after just over 17 hours of tedious and demanding work by many first responders.
“The mutual love and support of our community will see us through this difficult time. On behalf of the entire borough, our condolences to his family, friends, fellow students, and the PHS Class of 2023.”
Boats involved in the search on Lake Alcyon. The body was recovered from the lake on Monday
Rodriguez attended Deptford High for the first three years of school and Pitman High only for his senior year.
He posted a 30-8 record at 132 pounds in Pitman, reached his first district final and qualified for the regional quarterfinals for the second year in a row, NJ.com reported.
On Monday night, members of the Deptford and Pitman communities gathered at Pitman’s United Methodist Church for a vigil to commemorate the teen athlete’s life.
His brother Pablo wrote in one GoFundMe account: ‘It is with sadness in our hearts that we inform you of the (loss) of our beloved Victor. Tragedy stalled at Alcyon Lake last June 11, when Victor Rodriguez took part in a scavenger hunt that went astray.”
The fundraiser has raised over $50,000 to date.