14 June 2023 , 11:50
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An 18-year-old high school wrestling star who disappeared during a "scavenger hunt" swim has been found dead just days before his graduation.
Victor Rodriguez, from New Jersey, US, vanished after going swimming in Alcyon Lake on Sunday evening at around 8.45pm.
Dive teams, cadaver dogs and sonar equipment were dispatched overnight to find the missing Pitman High School star, but grassy conditions in the lake made it desperately tricky for the divers.
His body was tragically recovered from the lake on Monday.
Pitman Police Chief Dan McAteer said in a statement: "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 quickly, kind of overwhelmed themselves."
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Victor Rodriguez was a member of the wrestling team at Pitman High School (Gofundme)The 17.5-acre lake, which is around 10-12ft deep, does not permit swimming and, as the area is extremely dark at nigh, it is difficult to patrol, according to police.
Mr McAteer added: "It's a vegetation that exists in the lake. It's very thick.
"Deeply rooted but comes very close to the surface."
Victor had been taking part in an attempt to swim across the lake as part of the school's traditional scavenger hunt.
Divers recovered the teen's body on Monday (NBC Philadelphia)Student Sean Powell revealed it is a tradition which has been going on for the last 15 years.
He told NBC10: "It's been going on for 15-plus years.
"One of the challenges is to swim across the lake for points. You get points for it. You gotta record it and unfortunately something tragic happened.
"It doesn't even feel real. Honestly. I wrestled like half a year with the kid."
Dive teams, cadaver dogs and sonar equipment were used to find the missing teen (NBC Philadelphia)Pitman Borough Mayor Michael Razze called the discovery a "great sadness" after Victor's body was found.
He said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that after just over 17 hours of tedious and demanding work by many first responders, Victor has been recovered.
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"The mutual love and support of our community will help to carry us through this difficult time. On behalf of the entire borough, our deepest condolences to his family, friends, fellow students, and the PHS Class of 2023."
Victor, who was enrolled in Deptford High for the first three years of school, was a Pitman High student for his Senior year only.
He recorded a 30-8 record at 132 pounds at Pitman High School and had reached his first district final and qualifying for the regional quarter-finals for the second year in a row.
His devastated brother Pablo wrote in a GoFundMe account: "It is with sadness in our hearts, that we inform you of the (loss) of our beloved Victor.
"Tragedy stuck this past June 11th at Alcyon Lake, when Victor Rodriguez participated in a scavenger hunt that went astray."
The fundraiser has so far raised more than $50,000.
Victor's cap and gown will be placed on an empty seat during the school's graduation on Wednesday night, according to NBC.