Goode, VA — The Virginia Tech wrestling community is mourning the unexpected passing of Hudson Stewart, a two-time Virginia state wrestling champion and standout member of the Hokies wrestling program. Stewart passed away suddenly, leaving behind a devastated family, a grieving team, and a legacy marked by discipline, resilience, and heart.
Though the cause of death has not been publicly confirmed, the news has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and beyond. A rising senior at Virginia Tech, Stewart was admired not only for his athletic ability but for his leadership, academic excellence, and quiet strength.
Born in Goode, Virginia, and raised in a tight-knit wrestling family, Hudson was the youngest of five brothers—all of whom competed at the collegiate level. His father and mother, Warren and Julie Stewart, fostered a strong sense of family, faith, and hard work that defined Hudson’s approach to life on and off the mat.
At Brookville High School in Lynchburg, Stewart amassed a 91–8 career record, including an undefeated 33–0 junior season. He was a two-time Virginia state champion, three-time state placer, and earned numerous district and regional titles—cementing his reputation as one of the state’s top wrestlers.
At Virginia Tech, Stewart continued his winning ways, compiling a 43–30 collegiate record over four seasons despite battling persistent injuries. He was known for his perseverance, returning in the 2023–24 season to earn an 8–5 record, including two dominant pins at the Armbar at the Armory tournament. Off the mat, he twice earned placement on the ACC Academic Honor Roll, majoring in sociology while balancing the demands of Division I athletics.
Beyond his accomplishments in wrestling, Stewart was shaped by a rich and varied life. He spent significant time abroad in Kazakhstan and North Cyprus, and competed internationally with Athletes in Action, representing his faith and sport across Eastern Europe.
As the Virginia Tech community, Stewart’s hometown of Goode, and the broader wrestling world reflect on this loss, they are united in grief—and in gratitude for a life lived with integrity, courage, and deep purpose.