Dante Rodriguez received an opportunity he couldn't refuse.

The Grand Island Senior High sophomore wrestler got a letter in the mail from the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for a shot at making the U.S. team for the 2016 Olympics. A few days later, Rodriguez returned the letter letting team officials know he is interested in giving it a try.

"I was just in awe at first, I really couldn't believe it," Rodriguez said. "It's almost like a dream come true for me. This is the biggest dream I could fulfill. I'm really excited about it."

The decision wasn't an easy one for Rodriguez. But after talking to family, including older brother Daniel, and Islander coach Mike Schadwinkel, he said it was an opportunity he couldn't refuse.

"This is just a great opportunity," Rodriguez said. "Like I said, it's like a dream come true."

Rodriguez, who is ranked No. 1 by the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association at 106 pounds, has been recommended by U.S. Olympic officials to become a resident athlete in Colorado Springs. For that reason, he will head to Colorado Springs a few weeks after the state wrestling tournament to start a 90-day evaluation, which includes wrestling in international tournaments, with the trainers there.

At that point, Rodriguez can be a resident athlete and he will then decide if he wants to stay in Colorado to train further or come back to Grand Island. If he decides to stay, he will transfer to one of the local high schools in Colorado Springs.

Schadwinkel said Rodriguez is deserving of the opportunity.

"Dante is a very special talent. He is very gifted in the international styles of wrestling," Schadwinkel said. "He has many great successes in freestyle and Greco-Roman and he wouldn't have the offer if he didn't have unique talents. It's a great opportunity for him.

"He has the ability to make people just watch and say 'How did he do that?'"

But for now, Rodriguez said he wants his focus to be on the rest of the season on helping Grand Island win its fourth consecutive state title. He is 34-1 this season, which included winning his division at the Top of the Rockies Tournament. There he pinned Broomfield (Colo.)'s Drew Romero, who was ranked in two national wrestling publications at the time, in the final.

"We are having a great year," Rodriguez said. "For me, winning the Top of the Rockies Tournament in Lafayette, Colo. has been one of the highlights of the season so far, especially since I didn't medal there last year. Hopefully I, along with the team, can continue to get better and reach our goals."

Rodriguez and the Islanders will compete in the Heartland Athletic Conference Meet Saturday at Lincoln High.

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Fax or e-mail results

All coaches are asked to either fax in duals and tournament results on the day of the event to (308) 381-9431, send an e-mail to sports.desk@theindependent.com or call in results to (308) 382-1000 and ask for sports or call (800) 658-3160. If possible, have the tournament director fax or e-mail results to The Independent.

Marc Zavala is the prep wrestling writer for The Independent.