Support Lucas's Dream: Wrestling Nationals 2025

Please help me travel to the Adult Wrestling National Championships in Puerto Rico!

My name is Lucas Rodriguez. When I was 12 years old, I found the sport of wrestling. I was always small for my age, and in wrestling, I could compete against others who were my size. I found that I was actually good at it, and I loved it. Since high school, I have helped train and teach high school kids, including private lessons, to give back what others have given to me.

I love wrestling so much that I have spent the last 13 years working to become the best wrestler I could be. During my career, I wrestled as the 125 lb starter at NCAA Division I Edinboro University and also graduated early with my B.S. in Strategic Communications. I went on to wrestle one semester as the 125 starter at North Dakota State University.

In 2023, I decided to pursue my Master's in Sports Management at Grand View University (#1 NAIA wrestling school in the country). After one year, I decided to pivot and switched to pursuing my Master's in Organizational Leadership at Grand View. I am currently on schedule to graduate in April of 2025.

Training as an NCAA/NAIA college athlete is a full-time job, and not having a vehicle made it even harder to get a job during my college years. I am finishing my degree virtually and have been trying to find a job but have so far been unsuccessful.

A very small percentage of high school wrestlers continue their wrestling careers in college and beyond. Since this was my dream, I have pursued it with everything that I have. Every step has been filled with obstacles, disappointments, and work beyond what others can really fully understand. I have lived all over the country without a vehicle and without the financial resources that I need. I am resilient. I am strong, and I am determined. I can and I will succeed in whatever path I choose to follow.

As my college career comes to a close without fulfilling my dream of winning an NCAA tournament, I feel I am not done competing. I want one more chance. I want to travel to Puerto Rico to compete in the 2025 Puerto Rico Adult Wrestling National Championships, which will give me a chance to become a member of the Puerto Rico World Team. It has been a dream of mine since I first started wrestling to represent my Spanish heritage on the World/ Olympic stage. The tournament will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 14th, 2024. I would have to travel there a few days early to continue training.

I need financial help with plane tickets, lodging, and transportation once I am there. I continue to train and work hard, and I know that I will do everything in my power to make the most of this opportunity. Please help me fulfill my lifelong dream of competing internationally. Any amount will help! Thank you for your consideration.