High school wrestler’s body recovered from lake after 17-hour search, NJ officials say

A high school student’s body was found more than 17 hours after he disappeared underwater while swimming across a lake, according to New Jersey officials.

The student was identified as Victor Rodriguez, a senior at Pitman High School, according to a statement from Pitnam Public Schools.

“It is with great sadness that after just over 17 hours of tedious and demanding work by many first responders, Victor has been recovered,” Pitman Mayor Michael Razze wrote in a Facebook post at about 3:30 p.m. on June 12.

Rescue teams began searching for a swimmer who disappeared underwater at Alcyon Lake in Pitman on the evening of June 11, the Borough of Pitman wrote on Facebook at about 10:30 p.m. on June 11.

The student athlete had been trying to swim across the lake when he went underwater, the Burlington County Times reported.

“For whatever reasons, he got cramped up, tired, or even caught in the debris and the grass,” Pitman Police Chief Daniel J. McAteer, told the outlet.

The thick grass in the lake caused problems for rescue teams during the search, McAteer told the outlet.

Exams at Pitman High School were canceled June 12, according to a post on the school’s Instagram. Seniors were asked to go to the auditorium for an information session.

Pitman Councilman Matt Weng called Rodriguez’s death a “terrible loss to our high school and to our town” in a statement posted on Facebook.

“Thank you to the first responders who worked through the night in difficult conditions without giving up,” the post says. “Please keep Victor’s family, friends, and the entire Pitman High School community in your thoughts and prayers.”

Rodriguez was a “standout” on the high school wrestling team, McAteer told NJ.com.

“On behalf of the board of education, administration, and staff, we offer our sincerest condolences to Victor’s family and friends,” the statement says.

McAteer and Razze did not respond to requests for comment from McClatchy News.

Alcyon Lake is 17.5 acres and about 10-12 feet deep, according to NJ.com. The area is dark at night, and swimming is not allowed, the outlet reported.

Pitman High School graduation is scheduled for June 14, according to the school’s calendar.

Pitman is about 20 miles south of Philadelphia.

This story was originally published June 12, 2023 at 3:03 PM with the headline "High school wrestler’s body recovered from lake after 17-hour search, NJ officials say."