Winfree earns Athlete of the Year Nomination
If there’s a sport Hudson Winfree can play, chances are he’s going to excel at it too.
Winfree was named one of the nominees this week for Athlete of the Year for Special Olympics Area 9, recognition that comes after a standout 2025 where the Warren County High School freshman continued to establish himself as one of the top Special Olympics athletes in the Upper Cumberland.
“Hudson has competed in multiple sports, but a great story is that he won gold in snowboarding in his very first year competing in the sport. Congratulations, Hudson,” wrote the Special Olympics Tennessee Facebook page when announcing the nominees.
Unlike many of the finalists for the award, Hudson is accomplishing the feats while still in high school. Several nominees are already adults, but Winfree is only a freshman at WCHS and already one of the most decorated athletes in the school.
Hudson helped continue Warren County’s dominance in unified basketball in March, playing a key role during the Pioneers’ latest state championship run. During the title weekend, Winfree delivered one of the defining moments of the tournament when he buried a game-winning 3-pointer to help Warren County finish off another unbeaten run and cement itself as the gold standard in Tennessee unified basketball.
It wasn't the only time he was wearing a gold medal though - Hudson's success has stretched across every season.
At the 2025 Tennessee Special Olympics Winter Games in Gatlinburg, Hudson brought home three gold medals while competing in snowboarding for the very first time. Despite falling repeatedly during practice runs, Winfree stayed upright when it mattered most, capturing first place finishes in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom events.
Hudson has also excelled during the Summer Games, where he won gold in the javelin throw - and he will look to defend his title later this year. He also competes in bowling and will participate in an Upper Cumberland Region soccer tournament this weekend in Franklin.
“He just likes competition,” said his father, Josh Winfree.
Josh also reflected on the family’s experience at the Winter Games after Hudson's three-medal performance.
“The athletes always leave us amazed, charmed, and hopeful - Hopeful that we can all live our lives in the way they do: Never giving up, never stop overcoming challenges, never stop trying to do new and hard things,” Josh wrote following the trip.
Hudson’s nomination places him among the elite Special Olympics athletes in Area 9 — and considering he's just a teenager, his list of accomplishments may just be getting started.
