by By Dan Ninham
The Big Foot/Williams Bay HS boys’ soccer team started the season with a big win. Freshman Hudson Torrez played very well and scored two goals. The local newspaper featured his picture in the story of the team’s victory: https://www.lakegenevanews.net/sports/high-school/big-foot-williams-bay-soccer-starts-season-with-four-goal-victory/article_577619b3-2781-5fb5-9e8d-0c76e7aa03ad.html
Hudson Torrez, 14, is an Oneida descendant through his grandfather Bob Torrez. He is a freshman at Big Foot High School in WI. As a freshman at Big Foot High School, he started on varsity basketball and soccer.
“I began playing sports as soon as I could walk,” said Hudson. “I’ve been playing AAU basketball in Milwaukee since fourth grade. I currently play for an AAU team called Chapman Basketball Academy. I also play soccer and I’ve played on a local travel soccer team since I was five years old. I now play for FC Wisconsin Nationals from Milwaukee.”
“In 2019, I was the only person from Wisconsin to be invited and attend the National Identification Development Program (ID2) through US Club Soccer in Chula Vista, California,” said Hudson. “Also in 2019, my soccer team, FC Wisconsin, won the State Cup.”
“I am a descendent of the Wolf Clan of the Oneida Nation,” said Hudson. “The Wolf Clan represents the path finders. I’m interested in going into special education. My family is full of teachers and helpers. From my grandparents, to my parents and my aunts and uncles. I find that sports furthers my interest in being a path finder because I am not a selfish player and even though I’m a freshman, I feel that I am a good leader for my teams and help my teammates be the best they can be.”
“My parents are two of my biggest supporters,” said Hudson. “Renee and Steve Torrez have supported me in my sports career and have sacrificed and provided opportunities for me to pursue my dreams.”
“Gus Foster pushes me every day in each practice even if I don’t want to,” said Hudson. “He is on the same high school soccer and basketball teams I’m on. I admire his work ethic and leadership.”
“I have been dealing with the pandemic physically by working out and spending time working on the sports that I play,” said Hudson. “Mentally and emotionally, I like to spend time with family and listen to music. It’s not easy playing three sports in one season due to the pandemic so when I get a chance I like to listen to music.”
Steve and Renee Torrez talked about their multi-athlete son: “Hudson has spent countless hours practicing and working on both soccer and basketball. As a nine year old, he wanted to play more basketball and he walked into a gym in Milwaukee where he didn’t know anyone and had fun competing. He made an impression that has continued relationships well into high school. To this day, Hudson is willing to take risks and try new things if it means getting better.”
“Socially and personally, he has connected with teammates and cares about their well-being. He wants to win at all costs, but the winning is always a team goal not a personal goal. We believe Hudson enjoys the team success and winning as much or more than any personal statistic. In his middle school games where he could score most of the points, Hudson would always pass and include his whole team. He would keep track if someone hadn’t scored yet, and he make sure everyone had a chance to make a basket. Hudson would work hard to put his school teammate in a position to be successful and it is something we are very proud of.”
“He’s the best freshman a kid could possibly ask to play with,” said friend Gus Foster. “He doesn’t turn the ball over and he always wants to be pushed harder and never makes excuses. He’s always the guy I go to when I want to shoot baskets or workout with someone.”
“Hudson is a pleasure to coach,” said Neil Tollson, FC Wisconsin club soccer coach. “He works tirelessly to improve his all-around play. He is a leader for his teammates and someone everyone looks up to. He always listens and asks questions on areas of improvement and works on those areas even when it’s difficult for him. He is a very good finisher in front of goal and can take opportunities whether a self-made goal or one that’s been created by his team. I can only see Hudson getting better and better with the ability and mindset he has.”
“Hudson’s not afraid of higher competition,” said Hunter Price, Big Foot HS head varsity basketball coach. “Playing varsity as a freshman is a difficult task physically and mentally. He did a good job of thriving in both areas and developing as the year went on.”
“Basketball skill-wise, he is a dynamic ball handler. There are areas of growth that will need to develop as he gains more experience but as a freshman he’s the best ball handler I’ve had here. Teams will halt full court presses when he is in the game because he breaks them pretty easily,” added Hunter.
“He is a good kid with a heart for his team,” said Hunter. “He embraces the older leaders. He is coachable and won’t disrespect authority. Overall, he has shown to be someone others would want to coach or play with.”
“Hudson is a very great high energy competitive player,” said AAU basketball coach Agape Keys. “When I first met Hudson he had an eye of a warrior. He was always energetic, always wanted to win and kept his team involved. He never let no one tell him that he couldn’t do something and he always accepted a challenge.”
“Hudson played with me since he was in fifth grade. He came down to Milwaukee from Walworth to get better and wanted to compete on a high level. What I didn’t know at the time that this young man was fast and shifty at his age. He played in some of the top showcases in the country. He played with and against some of the top talent in the country,” added Coach Keys.
“Hudson has been with our club for the past three years and is an incredible young man,” said Ben Shepard, FC Wisconsin club soccer coach. “He exemplifies everything that we try and instill in our players. His hard work, discipline and commitment to always striving to improve are an example to his peers.”
“Hudson leads by example and is a great teammate. His mentality and drive to succeed are qualities that will see him be hugely successful in the future,” added Ben.
“I’ve watched Hudson play soccer since he was six and cheered him on when my daughter played with him,” said Keith Blakeman, Big Foot/Williams Bay HS soccer coach. “I’ve only had the pleasure of coaching him for a few weeks at Big Foot High School. His drive to succeed has always been evident in how hard he plays and the time he spends practicing. He has continued that approach at Big Foot HS.”
“He is easily one of the most talented players we’ve had at Big Foot in the 14 years I’ve been head coach. He is making an immediate impact his freshman season, leading the varsity team in goals and assists and this is a first for a freshman in my tenure. Despite this, he works hard every minute of training and listens to coaches and teammates for different ideas and ways to change and improve. His knowledge of the game is evident from his movement without the ball and he is starting to ask his teammates to do the same. The example his play sets and his willingness to talk to his teammates about what he is thinking will improve the players around him,” added Ben.
“Although I don’t teach at Big Foot, he has been meeting all the academic requirements his first year,” said Ben. “He appears to carve out the time he needs to be a successful student, something that is not always easy for a multi-sport athlete.”
“His club soccer team is the highest level sport he plays,” said dad Steve Torres. “It’s a national club team that plays all over the Midwest and country. His AAU basketball does as well but not at the same level.”
“This is the soccer league he plays in. This also led to an invite to the US Club Soccer National ID2 camp in San Diego last December as one of the top players in his age group,” added Steve.
“I lost my cousin, when she was only 19, due to gun violence,” said Hudson. “It showed me that you need to live life everyday like it’s your last. It showed me to love all of your family members and your friends.”
“It also showed me to always work hard because you never know when it’s going to be your last day,” added Hudson.
Photo Credit: Bailey Racky
