Jordon Hudson Still ‘Really Wants’ Miss Maine USA Crown Despite Pageant Upset (Exclusive Source)

Jordon Hudson might’ve fallen short of the crown at this year’s Miss Maine USA pageant, but that doesn’t mean she’s taking off her sash for good.

Shortly after the former cheerleader, 24, placed third at the statewide event — coming in behind winner Shelby Howell and runner-up Mara Carpenter — a source tells PEOPLE that Hudson could very well return to the competition in the future.

“Knowing Jordan, this is something that she really wants. So if it’s something that she wants to work towards in the future, she’ll do it again, and she’ll come back even stronger,” the insider says of Hudson, who is dating former NFL coach Bill Belichick, 73.

Her recent appearance at Miss Maine USA — which took place on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11 — follows her participation in the same pageant last year. Hudson came in second place in 2024, but the source adds that her lesser result won’t necessarily deter her.

“For some girls, a lower placement gets them more excited to come back and to prove themselves,” the source tells PEOPLE. “What a lot of people say is, ‘Different day, different judges, different rankings.’ We can do this all over again with five new judges and it could be a completely different outcome.”

While she didn’t leave as a winner — which would’ve automatically put her in the running for the national Miss USA pageant — Hudson did nab the style award this year. And the contestant, who was representing the town of Hancock, also had the support of her boyfriend throughout both the preliminary and final rounds of the competition.

Belichick was seated in the front row on both days, and after the results were finalized on Sunday, the couple left the Portland Holiday Inn venue together, hand in hand. Hudson made her exit in the same sparkling purple evening gown she wore on stage. Her other pageant looks included a gold mini dress and a shimmery teal bikini with heels.