1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:07,407 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:09,542 - My mom is my hero, my role model, 3 00:00:09,576 --> 00:00:12,846 and she's been by me through all the bad moments. 4 00:00:12,879 --> 00:00:16,249 - "American Ninja Warrior" qualifying was extraordinary. 5 00:00:16,282 --> 00:00:17,450 - I got chills. 6 00:00:17,484 --> 00:00:19,352 I got tears welling up in my eyes. 7 00:00:19,386 --> 00:00:22,322 - Highlighted by some of the most inspiring runs 8 00:00:22,355 --> 00:00:23,556 in the show's history. 9 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:25,859 - I decided, right then and there, 10 00:00:25,892 --> 00:00:27,961 that this was not gonna beat me. 11 00:00:27,994 --> 00:00:29,996 - Hold on, hold on, fight, fight! 12 00:00:30,030 --> 00:00:32,132 This dude is a fighter, Matt. 13 00:00:32,165 --> 00:00:35,035 - I'm so proud of you. 14 00:00:35,068 --> 00:00:37,003 That was so amazing. 15 00:00:37,037 --> 00:00:39,939 - Tonight, the heroes from qualifying 16 00:00:39,973 --> 00:00:44,377 continue their journeys as we begin the semifinals... 17 00:00:44,411 --> 00:00:46,546 - Now this is where it gets real. 18 00:00:46,579 --> 00:00:49,883 - With a ticket to the national finals on the line. 19 00:00:49,916 --> 00:00:52,185 - To hit a buzzer on the extended course 20 00:00:52,218 --> 00:00:54,621 would mean everything to me. 21 00:00:54,654 --> 00:00:57,524 - Being the youngest female up the Warped Wall was awesome, 22 00:00:57,557 --> 00:01:02,128 but I want to be the youngest female to make it to Vegas. 23 00:01:02,162 --> 00:01:05,398 - And at the end of the night, we crank up the juice 24 00:01:05,432 --> 00:01:08,068 as the top two competitors go head-to-head 25 00:01:08,101 --> 00:01:11,071 on the newly redesigned Power Tower. 26 00:01:11,104 --> 00:01:13,239 - This season, the Power Tower looks like something 27 00:01:13,273 --> 00:01:16,076 that we've never seen in Ninja, and I can't wait to take it on. 28 00:01:18,078 --> 00:01:20,080 - My goal is to get that Safety Pass. 29 00:01:20,113 --> 00:01:22,248 You have to want it more than that person next to you. 30 00:01:22,282 --> 00:01:23,616 Let's go! 31 00:01:23,650 --> 00:01:26,553 - It's semifinals, and it's time to hit some buzzers. 32 00:01:26,586 --> 00:01:28,288 - All right, this is your time. 33 00:01:28,321 --> 00:01:30,290 - LA, Phoenix is ready to fly. 34 00:01:30,323 --> 00:01:35,662 * * 35 00:01:35,695 --> 00:01:37,664 [upbeat music] 36 00:01:37,697 --> 00:01:39,766 - Welcome to Hollywood, Ninja fans. 37 00:01:39,799 --> 00:01:42,302 We're on the backlot at Universal Studios, 38 00:01:42,335 --> 00:01:44,304 our home for the semifinals 39 00:01:44,337 --> 00:01:47,007 on "American Ninja Warrior." 40 00:01:47,107 --> 00:01:48,241 Hello, and thanks for being with us. 41 00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:50,643 I'm Matt Iseman. - And I'm Akbar Gbajabiamila. 42 00:01:50,677 --> 00:01:54,280 Matt, we are on the biggest movie studio lot in the world. 43 00:01:54,314 --> 00:01:56,216 And you better get your popcorn ready, 44 00:01:56,249 --> 00:01:57,984 because it's about to be popping. 45 00:01:58,018 --> 00:02:00,153 - Well, we'll have action, drama, and maybe even 46 00:02:00,186 --> 00:02:02,922 a little comedy as top Ninja athletes fight 47 00:02:02,956 --> 00:02:05,392 for a spot in Vegas at the National Finals. 48 00:02:05,425 --> 00:02:07,060 - But Matt, I got to keep it 100, 49 00:02:07,093 --> 00:02:09,162 the semifinals is never easy. 50 00:02:09,195 --> 00:02:10,830 - Speaking truth, big man. 51 00:02:10,864 --> 00:02:12,532 For more on the course they're gonna be facing, 52 00:02:12,565 --> 00:02:14,067 let's go down to Zuri Hall. 53 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:16,469 - Guys, it is Hollywood, so we're adding 54 00:02:16,503 --> 00:02:18,238 some special effects to the course. 55 00:02:18,271 --> 00:02:21,641 You may even see some ghosts. 56 00:02:21,675 --> 00:02:23,943 That's because the eighth obstacle tonight 57 00:02:23,977 --> 00:02:26,146 is the hauntingly high-flying Ghost Town. 58 00:02:26,179 --> 00:02:27,714 - I don't mess with ghosts. 59 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:30,550 - Other new obstacles include the grip-grinding 60 00:02:30,583 --> 00:02:32,185 Kaleidoscope at number five. 61 00:02:32,218 --> 00:02:35,155 Split Decision is a choice between the dangerous 62 00:02:35,188 --> 00:02:38,324 Dragonback or the new balance test, Spin Zone. 63 00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:39,726 - Ooh. 64 00:02:39,759 --> 00:02:41,728 - The tenth obstacle is the 35-footclimb 65 00:02:41,761 --> 00:02:43,763 up the Spider Trap to the buzzer. 66 00:02:43,797 --> 00:02:45,231 Guys. 67 00:02:45,265 --> 00:02:47,701 - Well, we're in Hollywood, so we're gonna start 68 00:02:47,734 --> 00:02:50,236 the semifinals with a star. 69 00:02:50,270 --> 00:02:53,473 This is social media sensation Bob Reese. 70 00:02:53,506 --> 00:02:55,141 He's got millions of followers. 71 00:02:55,175 --> 00:02:57,110 In fact, fellow ninja Brett Sims 72 00:02:57,110 --> 00:02:59,012 is filming him right now. 73 00:02:59,112 --> 00:03:00,547 - What? - Oh! 74 00:03:00,580 --> 00:03:03,483 - He just flipped out of his sweatshirt. 75 00:03:03,516 --> 00:03:05,418 [cheers and applause] 76 00:03:05,452 --> 00:03:08,121 It's goofy stunts like that that have 77 00:03:08,154 --> 00:03:11,324 made him beloved by his fans. 78 00:03:11,358 --> 00:03:13,059 - Here are six ways that you can 79 00:03:13,093 --> 00:03:14,894 use rollerblades on trampolines. 80 00:03:14,928 --> 00:03:17,330 Number one, don't. 81 00:03:17,364 --> 00:03:19,532 On TikTok, I have over 3 million followers. 82 00:03:19,566 --> 00:03:23,503 And I've gotten over 100 million views on my page. 83 00:03:23,536 --> 00:03:25,939 Ever since I was a kid, I've always been the one 84 00:03:25,972 --> 00:03:28,375 in my family that was doing these crazy things. 85 00:03:28,408 --> 00:03:30,310 My mom and other people think it's kind 86 00:03:30,343 --> 00:03:32,178 of crazy that that's my job. 87 00:03:35,415 --> 00:03:39,552 I like to post parkour, extreme stunt type videos. 88 00:03:39,586 --> 00:03:41,154 - Oh! 89 00:03:41,187 --> 00:03:44,190 - [screaming] 90 00:03:44,224 --> 00:03:47,327 Stuff where I'm falling and screaming 91 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,195 and doing a lot of chaotic things. 92 00:03:50,597 --> 00:03:53,099 - Uh, Bob, this is not a good idea. 93 00:03:53,099 --> 00:03:54,267 Don't do that. 94 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:57,337 - No, dude, it's fine. 95 00:03:57,370 --> 00:04:00,440 And I just get reposted on meme pages. 96 00:04:00,473 --> 00:04:02,475 A niche internet micro-celebrity. 97 00:04:02,509 --> 00:04:04,444 That's what my friends call me. 98 00:04:04,477 --> 00:04:07,514 Ah, ah, ah! 99 00:04:07,547 --> 00:04:09,149 I'm not gonna do any TikTok dances 100 00:04:09,182 --> 00:04:13,753 on the course tonight, but I am gonna hit a buzzer. 101 00:04:13,787 --> 00:04:16,189 - cheering Bob on tonight are his wife 102 00:04:16,222 --> 00:04:19,092 and his sister, Becca, who competed in San Antonio, 103 00:04:19,125 --> 00:04:21,361 and Ninja buddy Brett Sims. 104 00:04:21,394 --> 00:04:22,896 And watching back in South Carolina 105 00:04:22,929 --> 00:04:24,230 are his parents. 106 00:04:24,264 --> 00:04:25,665 - Just imagine what he was like as a kid. 107 00:04:25,699 --> 00:04:28,101 [countdown clock beeping] 108 00:04:28,134 --> 00:04:30,370 - We saw his skills in qualifying. 109 00:04:30,403 --> 00:04:31,638 Not only did he get a buzzer, 110 00:04:31,671 --> 00:04:34,808 he got up that Mega Wall, 10 grand. 111 00:04:34,841 --> 00:04:36,776 - Whoa, he didn't even take a swing. 112 00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:38,845 Went right to the second ledge. 113 00:04:38,878 --> 00:04:41,081 Matt, he's in ludicrous mode right now. 114 00:04:41,081 --> 00:04:42,382 - And he's flowing. 115 00:04:42,415 --> 00:04:43,683 On now to Air Surfer. 116 00:04:43,717 --> 00:04:45,085 Got to fly with that 117 00:04:45,118 --> 00:04:47,320 upside-down snowboard from pad to pad. 118 00:04:47,354 --> 00:04:49,089 This is where you can't go too fast, 119 00:04:49,089 --> 00:04:51,691 have to be precise with this board on those small cradles. 120 00:04:51,725 --> 00:04:54,661 The smaller one here, but looking locked in. 121 00:04:54,694 --> 00:04:56,096 This the biggest jump, though, 122 00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:58,231 4 feet over to the landing pad. 123 00:04:58,264 --> 00:05:00,834 - Get it. Ooh, nice, OK. 124 00:05:00,867 --> 00:05:02,802 - The surfer's riding the wave. 125 00:05:05,338 --> 00:05:06,606 Got it. 126 00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:08,041 Up next is Spinning Bridge. 127 00:05:08,074 --> 00:05:10,810 Doesn't want to have one of his famous falls here. 128 00:05:10,844 --> 00:05:14,581 Oh! - Oh! Oh, okay! 129 00:05:14,614 --> 00:05:15,949 - Yeah! 130 00:05:16,049 --> 00:05:18,518 [cheers and applause] 131 00:05:18,551 --> 00:05:21,121 - He is moving quickly, and he's gonna give us a look 132 00:05:21,154 --> 00:05:23,656 at this new obstacle, Kaleidoscope. 133 00:05:25,325 --> 00:05:27,227 You have to rotate these windows 134 00:05:27,260 --> 00:05:29,329 so that the next window has the ledge 135 00:05:29,362 --> 00:05:31,464 on the bottom, then swing over. 136 00:05:31,498 --> 00:05:32,766 - Like that. 137 00:05:32,799 --> 00:05:34,634 - And those ledges go from an inch deep 138 00:05:34,668 --> 00:05:37,637 down to a quarter of an inch on the last one. 139 00:05:37,671 --> 00:05:41,074 But he lands it and now has to rotate this one around. 140 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:43,343 - Bob Reese is 190 pounds. 141 00:05:43,376 --> 00:05:46,212 How is he landing softly on these ledges? 142 00:05:46,246 --> 00:05:49,983 - This is the transfer. Only a 1/4 inch ledge. 143 00:05:50,083 --> 00:05:51,418 Got it! - Yes! 144 00:05:51,451 --> 00:05:53,520 - Oh, he's fully extended. Just needs the dismount. 145 00:05:53,553 --> 00:05:55,488 - Oh, boy, his hands are starting to slip. 146 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:57,991 - Got it! - Oh! 147 00:05:58,091 --> 00:06:00,593 - And even he looks a little bit relieved. 148 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:03,830 And he's gonna climb down to get ready for the Warped Wall. 149 00:06:03,863 --> 00:06:06,399 - He doesn't mind a fail video, but not at that point. 150 00:06:06,433 --> 00:06:08,935 Now he's fine. - Oh, what's he taking out? 151 00:06:09,035 --> 00:06:10,937 Oh, he's getting-- - He's getting a banana. 152 00:06:11,037 --> 00:06:13,373 - He's getting potassium. He's starting to cramp up. 153 00:06:13,406 --> 00:06:14,941 He needs some banana. 154 00:06:15,041 --> 00:06:17,077 And he's putting it back in his pocket. 155 00:06:19,045 --> 00:06:22,315 - Bob Reese is recharged for the back half. 156 00:06:22,349 --> 00:06:25,218 - Oh! A 360. 157 00:06:25,251 --> 00:06:27,921 - A reverse 360. 158 00:06:27,954 --> 00:06:31,257 - This is a very difficult semifinals course, 159 00:06:31,291 --> 00:06:34,427 and Bob Reese is treating it like a playground. 160 00:06:34,461 --> 00:06:35,729 Oh! - What? 161 00:06:35,762 --> 00:06:39,499 - He's flipping and 360ing all over the course. 162 00:06:39,532 --> 00:06:43,069 I mean, take a look at this, a 360 on the wall 163 00:06:43,069 --> 00:06:45,405 during the semifinals? Come on! 164 00:06:45,438 --> 00:06:47,941 And then whatever flip this was. 165 00:06:47,974 --> 00:06:49,909 This dude is an entertainer. 166 00:06:49,943 --> 00:06:51,244 Matt, ya boy needs to save 167 00:06:51,277 --> 00:06:53,079 some of that energy for the course. 168 00:06:53,113 --> 00:06:54,981 He's got four more obstacles to go. 169 00:06:55,081 --> 00:06:56,883 - First up is the Salmon Ladder. 170 00:06:56,916 --> 00:06:58,551 You can't tell by looking at him. 171 00:06:58,585 --> 00:07:01,287 He's so agile, but he is a bigger guy 172 00:07:01,321 --> 00:07:02,622 out here in the Ninja world. 173 00:07:02,655 --> 00:07:05,358 6 feet, 190. - Here you go, Bob! 174 00:07:05,392 --> 00:07:07,327 - It's impressive he's gotten this far, 175 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,630 especially while doing all of the tricks along the way. 176 00:07:10,663 --> 00:07:12,132 Now ready for obstacle eight. 177 00:07:12,165 --> 00:07:14,134 And this is a brand new obstacle, Ghost Town. 178 00:07:14,167 --> 00:07:15,769 It's an unusual motion. 179 00:07:15,802 --> 00:07:17,704 You can see those ghosts stay horizontal. 180 00:07:17,737 --> 00:07:19,039 - Yeah, and they looking at you too. 181 00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:20,206 Look, that's weird, 182 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:21,775 having somebody look at you like that. 183 00:07:21,808 --> 00:07:23,043 - And this third move, 184 00:07:23,043 --> 00:07:25,178 the next cradle is 18 inches higher. 185 00:07:25,211 --> 00:07:26,379 You really need some power. 186 00:07:26,413 --> 00:07:27,580 - Yeah, a lot of power, a lot of up. 187 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:29,215 Don't get ghosted by Ghost Town. 188 00:07:29,249 --> 00:07:30,583 - Got to launch it. 189 00:07:30,617 --> 00:07:32,485 Oh! [air horn blares] 190 00:07:32,519 --> 00:07:35,889 And the trickster is taken down by Ghost Town. 191 00:07:35,922 --> 00:07:38,224 We'll have to wait and see if that is far enough, 192 00:07:38,258 --> 00:07:40,293 fast enough to get him to Vegas. 193 00:07:40,326 --> 00:07:43,596 - This run right here was made for TikTok. 194 00:07:43,630 --> 00:07:47,667 The hoodie flip, the banana, the reverse 360, 195 00:07:47,701 --> 00:07:50,403 and another flip on the back half. 196 00:07:50,437 --> 00:07:52,939 Come on. What a run. 197 00:07:52,972 --> 00:07:54,941 - And apparently, he's still hungry. 198 00:07:54,974 --> 00:07:57,243 - [groans] - A pretty fun course. 199 00:07:57,277 --> 00:07:58,845 - That's not hygienic. 200 00:08:00,213 --> 00:08:03,149 - Tonight, we're in Hollywood. 201 00:08:03,183 --> 00:08:06,119 So who's gonna be the breakout star? 202 00:08:06,152 --> 00:08:07,420 - All right, here we go. 203 00:08:07,454 --> 00:08:09,322 - Will it be the masked man 204 00:08:09,356 --> 00:08:11,057 or the Weatherman? 205 00:08:11,091 --> 00:08:12,292 - This is the year. 206 00:08:12,325 --> 00:08:13,827 - The record-breaking teenager... 207 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:15,395 - Let's go! 208 00:08:15,428 --> 00:08:16,930 - Or the high-flying veteran? 209 00:08:17,030 --> 00:08:18,031 - Good to be back. 210 00:08:18,031 --> 00:08:19,766 Bring on these obstacles. Let's go. 211 00:08:19,799 --> 00:08:22,035 - It's gonna be an action-packed night. 212 00:08:22,068 --> 00:08:24,504 - Oh, oh! Oh, my goodness-- 213 00:08:24,537 --> 00:08:26,072 oh, he gets thrown out of the ring! 214 00:08:26,106 --> 00:08:28,775 - On the semifinals... 215 00:08:28,808 --> 00:08:30,443 - Oh, he hacked everything. 216 00:08:30,477 --> 00:08:33,780 - Of "American Ninja Warrior." 217 00:08:39,252 --> 00:08:40,387 - Welcome back to the bright lights 218 00:08:40,420 --> 00:08:42,922 at Universal Studios Hollywood. 219 00:08:42,956 --> 00:08:44,924 And moments ago, software engineer 220 00:08:44,958 --> 00:08:48,061 and self-proclaimed computer nerd Ryan Hermstein 221 00:08:48,094 --> 00:08:51,598 showed what he can do off the course. 222 00:08:51,631 --> 00:08:53,500 He hacked our system. 223 00:08:53,533 --> 00:08:56,202 - No, he didn't. Oh, he hacked everything. 224 00:08:56,236 --> 00:08:58,605 Oh, shoot, he hacked my phone. 225 00:08:58,638 --> 00:09:00,840 We got hacked, and he looks jacked. 226 00:09:00,874 --> 00:09:03,209 - When it came to his Ninja skills, 227 00:09:03,243 --> 00:09:04,811 the 26-year-old rookie 228 00:09:04,844 --> 00:09:07,881 was able to avoid a total crash on Shrinking Steps. 229 00:09:07,914 --> 00:09:10,016 - Oh, oh! 230 00:09:11,084 --> 00:09:13,086 - And on Lunatic Ledges. 231 00:09:13,119 --> 00:09:15,188 - He's about to go down with the mainframe! 232 00:09:15,221 --> 00:09:16,523 Oh, my gosh! 233 00:09:16,556 --> 00:09:18,792 He felt that impact in his colon. 234 00:09:18,825 --> 00:09:22,328 - But couldn't avoid a shutdown on Air Surfer. 235 00:09:22,362 --> 00:09:24,431 - Oh! 236 00:09:24,464 --> 00:09:27,367 #SeeYouNextSeason, homey. 237 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,171 - New Jersey's Darion Bennett was styling, rocking a pair 238 00:09:31,204 --> 00:09:33,907 of genie pants given to him by the Genie Ninja, 239 00:09:33,940 --> 00:09:36,209 six-time veteran Thomas Stillings. 240 00:09:36,242 --> 00:09:37,844 - Do well. I'll take the magic with me. 241 00:09:37,877 --> 00:09:40,680 - And the pants seemed to give the 30-year-old a lift, 242 00:09:40,714 --> 00:09:43,083 as he got big air on Air Surfer. 243 00:09:43,116 --> 00:09:46,553 - Bennett is in it to win it. - And on Spinning Bridge. 244 00:09:48,421 --> 00:09:50,523 - I think his pants saved him, Matt. 245 00:09:50,557 --> 00:09:53,760 - But on Kaleidoscope, he just couldn't hang on. 246 00:09:53,793 --> 00:09:56,896 Whoa! 247 00:09:56,930 --> 00:09:59,165 - I had fun though. 248 00:09:59,199 --> 00:10:02,435 - Up next is one of the most exciting young ninjas. 249 00:10:02,469 --> 00:10:05,905 This is Pennsylvania's 16-year-old Cal Plohoros. 250 00:10:05,939 --> 00:10:07,741 And you never know what Ninja Cal 251 00:10:07,774 --> 00:10:09,009 is gonna do on the course. 252 00:10:09,042 --> 00:10:11,044 Back in qualifying, he hit a buzzer, 253 00:10:11,077 --> 00:10:12,812 then played matchmaker. 254 00:10:12,846 --> 00:10:14,247 - My Spanish teacher has 255 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:15,682 the biggest crush on you, Matt Iseman. 256 00:10:15,715 --> 00:10:16,883 - Oh, sí? 257 00:10:16,916 --> 00:10:18,785 - So if you'd like to say hi to Señora Meyer. 258 00:10:18,818 --> 00:10:21,321 - Señora Meyer. Hola. Como estas? 259 00:10:21,354 --> 00:10:22,856 - Oh, yeah! 260 00:10:22,889 --> 00:10:27,060 - Well, guess who's watching? Señora Meyer. 261 00:10:27,093 --> 00:10:29,562 - Hey, I just want to say, meet Mr. Matt Iseman. 262 00:10:29,596 --> 00:10:32,732 - Hi. - Hi, Mr. Iseman. 263 00:10:32,766 --> 00:10:34,401 - What do you have to say to Ninja Cal, 264 00:10:34,434 --> 00:10:36,636 in Spanish, as he's getting ready to run? 265 00:10:36,670 --> 00:10:38,705 - Hi, Cal. 266 00:10:38,738 --> 00:10:41,741 [speaking Spanish] 267 00:10:42,842 --> 00:10:44,477 - I don't know what that means, but thank you. 268 00:10:44,511 --> 00:10:46,413 [laughter] 269 00:10:46,446 --> 00:10:48,848 - All right, let's see how Ninja Cal does on the course. 270 00:10:48,882 --> 00:10:51,217 - Go get 'em, Cal. You got this, buddy. 271 00:10:51,251 --> 00:10:52,819 [countdown clock beeping] 272 00:10:52,852 --> 00:10:54,487 - Well, here we go, Ninja Cal. 273 00:10:54,521 --> 00:10:58,658 We saw him on "Ninja Junior." We know Cal likes to go fast. 274 00:10:58,692 --> 00:11:00,960 Oh, little stumble out of the gates there. 275 00:11:01,061 --> 00:11:02,829 Only the top 15 will move on to Vegas. 276 00:11:02,862 --> 00:11:04,064 - Well, in the semifinals, 277 00:11:04,097 --> 00:11:05,965 you're not gonna get 15 finishers. 278 00:11:06,066 --> 00:11:07,667 So it often comes down to a race 279 00:11:07,701 --> 00:11:09,636 to that eighth or ninth obstacle. 280 00:11:09,669 --> 00:11:11,338 Ninja Cal knows that. 281 00:11:11,371 --> 00:11:13,473 And Matt, get this-- his mom said 282 00:11:13,506 --> 00:11:15,675 if he makes it to Vegas this year, 283 00:11:15,709 --> 00:11:17,510 she gonna buy him his first car. 284 00:11:17,544 --> 00:11:19,112 - Well, that's some good motivation, 285 00:11:19,145 --> 00:11:21,448 and there's Mom in the middle of Cal's sideline group. 286 00:11:21,481 --> 00:11:23,516 Dad and sister also here. 287 00:11:23,550 --> 00:11:25,585 Just got his driver's license. 288 00:11:25,618 --> 00:11:27,754 Putting it in drive on Air Surfer. 289 00:11:27,787 --> 00:11:31,725 [cheers and applause] 290 00:11:31,758 --> 00:11:35,829 5'6", 145, and he is launching. 291 00:11:35,862 --> 00:11:37,831 - Ooh, that boy got some bounce. 292 00:11:37,864 --> 00:11:40,467 - Just needs the dismount. 293 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:42,002 -Que bueno! 294 00:11:42,102 --> 00:11:44,104 - Whoo! 295 00:11:45,772 --> 00:11:47,674 - Yeah, stay on top, stay on top, stay on top. 296 00:11:47,707 --> 00:11:49,342 Nice. OK. 297 00:11:51,444 --> 00:11:55,115 - Now sizing up the fifth obstacle, Kaleidoscope. 298 00:11:55,115 --> 00:11:56,116 Look at that! 299 00:11:56,116 --> 00:11:57,384 He jumped right out 300 00:11:57,417 --> 00:11:59,119 to start that rotation. 301 00:11:59,152 --> 00:12:02,055 A smart, efficient move out of Ninja Cal. 302 00:12:02,055 --> 00:12:04,958 Oh, he wants that car badly, Matt. 303 00:12:05,058 --> 00:12:06,893 - Got it. 304 00:12:06,926 --> 00:12:09,162 And wasting no time over to the third window. 305 00:12:09,195 --> 00:12:10,830 He is looking strong. 306 00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:12,298 - He's about to line it up, though, Matt! 307 00:12:12,332 --> 00:12:13,833 - Look at that long reach. 308 00:12:13,867 --> 00:12:18,238 - I don't even speak Spanish, but my goodness, bueno, bueno. 309 00:12:18,271 --> 00:12:21,875 - This high school student is acing Kaleidoscope. 310 00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:25,779 Just needs the dismount over that Tilting Wall, 311 00:12:25,812 --> 00:12:27,547 and he's done it! - OK! 312 00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:30,750 En fuego. Did I say that right? 313 00:12:30,784 --> 00:12:32,085 Did I say that right? 314 00:12:32,085 --> 00:12:34,421 En fuego. - En fuego, indeed. 315 00:12:34,454 --> 00:12:36,322 all: [chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 316 00:12:36,356 --> 00:12:38,091 - On now to the Warped Wall. 317 00:12:38,091 --> 00:12:41,294 - Muy fuerte, Cal, muy fuerte. 318 00:12:41,327 --> 00:12:43,163 Hey, en fuego. 319 00:12:43,196 --> 00:12:44,330 - That's right. 320 00:12:46,132 --> 00:12:47,167 - We'll worry about that later. 321 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:48,601 You worry about a buzzer. 322 00:12:48,635 --> 00:12:50,770 He just paused to check in 323 00:12:50,804 --> 00:12:52,138 on that little hookup that's going. 324 00:12:52,172 --> 00:12:55,408 - He's saying, get her number, dog, get her number. 325 00:12:55,442 --> 00:12:56,976 - He should be more worried about 326 00:12:57,010 --> 00:12:58,178 the back half of this course. 327 00:12:58,211 --> 00:13:00,580 - Come on, Cal, let's go! 328 00:13:00,613 --> 00:13:03,249 - Starting with the Salmon Ladder. 329 00:13:03,283 --> 00:13:04,517 - Well, Matt, he's got to go. 330 00:13:04,551 --> 00:13:07,854 Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. 331 00:13:07,887 --> 00:13:10,323 [cheers and applause] 332 00:13:10,357 --> 00:13:12,692 - Now the eighth obstacle, Ghost Town. 333 00:13:12,726 --> 00:13:16,062 - He fell on the eighth obstacle last year. 334 00:13:16,062 --> 00:13:17,564 If he gets through this, he'll have 335 00:13:17,597 --> 00:13:20,233 a much better shot at being in the top 15. 336 00:13:20,266 --> 00:13:22,268 - Yeah, he's got to keep his grip though, Matt. 337 00:13:22,302 --> 00:13:23,870 Oh! - Oh! 338 00:13:23,903 --> 00:13:28,341 Popped right out of the cradle, and that is it. 339 00:13:28,375 --> 00:13:30,877 La meurta, death. 340 00:13:30,910 --> 00:13:32,979 En finale. 341 00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:35,982 - I think Ghost Town is gonna be a tough obstacle tonight. 342 00:13:36,082 --> 00:13:37,751 As you generate swing, 343 00:13:37,784 --> 00:13:40,487 it's easy for the bar to slide out of the cradle. 344 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:43,089 And that's exactly what happened to Ninja Cal. 345 00:13:43,123 --> 00:13:44,657 - And he's down with Zuri. 346 00:13:44,691 --> 00:13:46,860 - Cal, awesome job out here. 347 00:13:46,893 --> 00:13:50,330 How are you feeling out there? - The course was so much fun. 348 00:13:50,363 --> 00:13:52,232 I'm really glad that I made it this far. 349 00:13:52,265 --> 00:13:53,700 Hopefully it's enough to hold out for Vegas. 350 00:13:53,733 --> 00:13:54,734 - Yeah. 351 00:13:54,768 --> 00:13:55,769 - But that eighth obstacle, man. 352 00:13:55,802 --> 00:13:57,404 I got to get past it. - Yeah. 353 00:13:57,437 --> 00:13:58,538 I hear your mom is giving you a car 354 00:13:58,571 --> 00:13:59,806 if you make it to Vegas. Is that true? 355 00:13:59,839 --> 00:14:02,075 - Yes, I'm hoping to make it. Let's go. 356 00:14:02,108 --> 00:14:03,810 - All right, let's get you that car, okay? 357 00:14:03,843 --> 00:14:05,145 We'll see if you went far enough, fast enough. 358 00:14:05,178 --> 00:14:06,546 Great job. - Thank you. I appreciate it. 359 00:14:06,579 --> 00:14:08,415 - Of course. Guys, back to you. 360 00:14:10,050 --> 00:14:12,352 - Thank you. You digging the curls? Same. 361 00:14:12,385 --> 00:14:14,888 You got a good head. - Let's go, let's go! 362 00:14:16,256 --> 00:14:17,724 - Coming up, 363 00:14:17,757 --> 00:14:20,794 she's the youngest woman ever to hit a buzzer. 364 00:14:20,827 --> 00:14:23,530 - Herstory was just made tonight. 365 00:14:23,563 --> 00:14:26,366 - Jordan Carr tries to make more history 366 00:14:26,399 --> 00:14:29,502 when "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 367 00:14:33,340 --> 00:14:35,308 - Welcome back to Universal Studios. 368 00:14:35,342 --> 00:14:38,211 Minutes ago, South Carolina's Brett Sims, 369 00:14:38,244 --> 00:14:40,080 who's known for his experience 370 00:14:40,113 --> 00:14:43,483 and his trusty beard, got his shot at the course. 371 00:14:43,516 --> 00:14:47,087 - This is the most famous beard in all of Ninja. 372 00:14:47,087 --> 00:14:48,955 - The 35-year-old Sims competed 373 00:14:48,988 --> 00:14:50,857 in our very first season, 374 00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:54,227 and he hit a buzzer in last year's semifinals. 375 00:14:54,260 --> 00:14:55,595 - Yeah, he's an OG, Matt. 376 00:14:55,628 --> 00:14:57,797 - But even this 11-time Ninja veteran 377 00:14:57,831 --> 00:14:59,866 was tripped up early tonight. 378 00:14:59,899 --> 00:15:01,735 both: Oh! 379 00:15:01,768 --> 00:15:03,903 - That's a shock right there. 380 00:15:06,740 --> 00:15:10,777 - Steve Donnelly dressed to represent dads everywhere 381 00:15:10,810 --> 00:15:12,112 with tucked in shirt, 382 00:15:12,145 --> 00:15:15,682 jeans shorts, tube socks, and dad shoes. 383 00:15:15,715 --> 00:15:18,051 Even his sidelines embraced the look. 384 00:15:18,051 --> 00:15:19,519 - Let's go, Steve! 385 00:15:19,552 --> 00:15:20,920 - Come on, big fella. 386 00:15:20,954 --> 00:15:22,322 - This father of three is the night's 387 00:15:22,355 --> 00:15:26,292 biggest competitor at 6'5" and 225 pounds. 388 00:15:26,326 --> 00:15:28,428 But Big Daddy can move. 389 00:15:28,461 --> 00:15:31,798 - You don't mess with that daddy strength. 390 00:15:31,831 --> 00:15:34,701 - And after getting that big body through Air Surfer... 391 00:15:34,734 --> 00:15:37,070 - Let it fly, Big Daddy! 392 00:15:37,103 --> 00:15:39,105 - He was ready for some refreshment. 393 00:15:39,139 --> 00:15:40,740 - Whoo! Come on, give me one more. 394 00:15:40,774 --> 00:15:42,409 Let's go. Come on. 395 00:15:42,442 --> 00:15:45,912 - He's providing one heck of a show right now. 396 00:15:47,213 --> 00:15:51,251 - But at Spinning Bridge, Big Daddy went out in style. 397 00:15:51,284 --> 00:15:54,354 - Oh! Oh, he was just thrown out of the ring! 398 00:15:54,387 --> 00:15:56,356 - Luckily, he was OK. 399 00:15:56,389 --> 00:16:00,026 - Just kind of rolled off, but awesome course. 400 00:16:01,528 --> 00:16:02,696 - But we've already got another ninja 401 00:16:02,729 --> 00:16:04,197 on the course right now. 402 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:07,634 Finishing up obstacle five is rookie Matt D'Amico. 403 00:16:08,868 --> 00:16:10,236 The gym owner from the Boston area 404 00:16:10,270 --> 00:16:13,340 has been wicked fast so far. 405 00:16:13,373 --> 00:16:15,275 - Ooh! - Oh, my! [laughs] 406 00:16:15,308 --> 00:16:18,078 - OK. This kid has style. 407 00:16:18,111 --> 00:16:21,381 He's been sprinting through the first half of this course. 408 00:16:21,414 --> 00:16:23,416 Now headed to the back half. 409 00:16:23,450 --> 00:16:25,118 And he's well known in the Northeast, 410 00:16:25,151 --> 00:16:27,053 where he's been winning local competitions, 411 00:16:27,087 --> 00:16:29,456 but first time on the big show. 412 00:16:29,489 --> 00:16:31,424 - And his motto's on his shirt. 413 00:16:31,458 --> 00:16:33,193 Every course is a speed course. 414 00:16:33,226 --> 00:16:35,562 That's his mindset. He goes all out. 415 00:16:35,595 --> 00:16:38,331 - Girlfriend and mom on the sidelines. 416 00:16:38,365 --> 00:16:40,200 - If he can keep this speed up, 417 00:16:40,233 --> 00:16:42,068 he's got a shot at the Power Tower. 418 00:16:42,068 --> 00:16:43,570 - And you win that Power Tower, you get 419 00:16:43,603 --> 00:16:46,673 a Safety Pass, a do-over in Vegas. 420 00:16:46,706 --> 00:16:48,975 He does seem to be slowing down 421 00:16:49,075 --> 00:16:50,844 a bit here on the back half. - Oh, yeah. 422 00:16:50,877 --> 00:16:52,846 [cheers and applause] 423 00:16:52,879 --> 00:16:55,382 - Ten obstacles is a long time to go full bore. 424 00:16:55,415 --> 00:16:58,084 - Matt, he's never done this many obstacles. 425 00:16:58,084 --> 00:17:00,020 This is new territory for him. 426 00:17:00,020 --> 00:17:02,655 - And this obstacle, Ghost Town, is brand new. 427 00:17:02,689 --> 00:17:04,257 Two ninjas have reached it so far, 428 00:17:04,290 --> 00:17:07,093 but neither made it through. 429 00:17:07,127 --> 00:17:09,462 - And I'm concerned about this 18-inch rise 430 00:17:09,496 --> 00:17:11,564 here on Ghost Town. 431 00:17:11,598 --> 00:17:12,932 - And you can just see those cradles. 432 00:17:13,033 --> 00:17:14,901 It's an unusual move there, counterweighted. 433 00:17:14,934 --> 00:17:16,903 - That's not enough power, Matt. 434 00:17:16,936 --> 00:17:19,406 Oh, got it, got it! 435 00:17:19,439 --> 00:17:21,641 - Well, he may be unknown outside the Northeast, 436 00:17:21,675 --> 00:17:25,111 but Matt D'Amico is making a name for himself. 437 00:17:25,145 --> 00:17:27,414 [cheers and applause] 438 00:17:27,447 --> 00:17:30,083 D'Amico the first tonight to get past Ghost Town, 439 00:17:30,116 --> 00:17:32,419 and he'll be the first to face Split Decision. 440 00:17:32,452 --> 00:17:35,655 On one side, he's got the new balance obstacle, Spin Zone. 441 00:17:35,689 --> 00:17:39,726 On the other, the upper body test of Dragonback. 442 00:17:39,759 --> 00:17:40,927 - Do this one. 443 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,063 - His girlfriend says Dragonback. 444 00:17:43,096 --> 00:17:44,564 Spin Zone would be faster. 445 00:17:44,597 --> 00:17:47,367 Dragonback may be safer, and that's where he's headed. 446 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,536 - Matt, I think he's made the wrong decision. 447 00:17:49,569 --> 00:17:51,104 - He is looking gassed. 448 00:17:51,137 --> 00:17:55,241 And this obstacle is almost impossible on tired arms. 449 00:17:55,275 --> 00:17:57,510 You have to jump the bar up the notches 450 00:17:57,544 --> 00:17:58,812 of the dragon's back. 451 00:18:00,513 --> 00:18:03,149 Right up. Oh, oh. - Wow. 452 00:18:03,183 --> 00:18:04,417 [air horn blares] [both groan] 453 00:18:04,451 --> 00:18:06,686 - Matt D'Amico just had nothing left 454 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:10,223 for the ninth obstacle, but a great run to that point. 455 00:18:10,256 --> 00:18:13,259 - D'Amico was the first to get past Ghost Town, 456 00:18:13,293 --> 00:18:16,062 then made the decision to go with the Dragonback. 457 00:18:16,096 --> 00:18:18,598 It didn't work out, but that run may get 458 00:18:18,631 --> 00:18:20,834 the rookie to Vegas. 459 00:18:20,867 --> 00:18:23,036 - A few weeks ago in San Antonio, 460 00:18:23,036 --> 00:18:25,538 our next athlete made Ninja history. 461 00:18:25,572 --> 00:18:29,042 15-year-old Jordan Carr became the youngest woman ever 462 00:18:29,042 --> 00:18:30,176 to hit a buzzer. 463 00:18:30,210 --> 00:18:32,112 It was a big moment, one she admits 464 00:18:32,145 --> 00:18:34,447 she wasn't prepared for. 465 00:18:34,481 --> 00:18:36,649 all: [chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 466 00:18:36,683 --> 00:18:40,387 - 15-year-old Jordan Carr trying to break that record. 467 00:18:40,420 --> 00:18:42,756 [dramatic music] 468 00:18:42,789 --> 00:18:46,459 [cheers and applause] 469 00:18:46,493 --> 00:18:48,661 - Let's go! 470 00:18:48,695 --> 00:18:49,963 It feels amazing to be 471 00:18:50,063 --> 00:18:51,131 the youngest woman to hit a buzzer. 472 00:18:51,164 --> 00:18:52,799 - Let's go! 473 00:18:52,832 --> 00:18:55,335 - I've been watching the show for years and years and years, 474 00:18:55,368 --> 00:18:58,271 so it's crazy to be, like, part of history. 475 00:18:58,304 --> 00:19:00,440 When I hit that buzzer, the first thing that, like, 476 00:19:00,473 --> 00:19:03,043 went through my head was, like, what do I do? 477 00:19:03,076 --> 00:19:05,178 Because I'm kind of, like, awkward person 478 00:19:05,211 --> 00:19:07,347 when it comes to all that. 479 00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:09,049 - Jordan! 480 00:19:09,082 --> 00:19:11,718 Jordan! 481 00:19:11,751 --> 00:19:12,852 All right, she's having a little rave. 482 00:19:12,886 --> 00:19:14,254 Come over here. - Get over here. 483 00:19:14,287 --> 00:19:16,690 - You come over here. 484 00:19:16,723 --> 00:19:18,091 - And then I realized I had to celebrate. 485 00:19:18,124 --> 00:19:20,694 So then I was like, oh, let's go. Like, yay. 486 00:19:20,727 --> 00:19:22,429 - We'll see you in LA. 487 00:19:24,364 --> 00:19:25,799 - Crazy. Yeah. 488 00:19:27,133 --> 00:19:28,702 It definitely adds some kind of pressure 489 00:19:28,735 --> 00:19:31,037 because you have to live up to those credentials. 490 00:19:31,071 --> 00:19:34,140 But no matter what happens... - Look, she's going for it. 491 00:19:34,174 --> 00:19:35,809 - It's more admirable 492 00:19:35,842 --> 00:19:38,745 to have failures that everyone sees. 493 00:19:38,778 --> 00:19:40,547 - No! 494 00:19:40,580 --> 00:19:42,749 - I promise, you're gonna do much better next time. 495 00:19:42,782 --> 00:19:45,151 All right, good job. All right? OK, all right? 496 00:19:45,185 --> 00:19:47,253 - "Ninja Junior" didn't exactly go my way. 497 00:19:47,287 --> 00:19:48,755 - Beat that wall! 498 00:19:48,788 --> 00:19:51,358 - But when you get back up, it feels 499 00:19:51,391 --> 00:19:53,093 more rewarding when you work for it. 500 00:19:53,126 --> 00:19:54,260 - You got this. 501 00:19:54,294 --> 00:19:56,429 - Nice, Jordan. - You got it. 502 00:19:56,463 --> 00:19:59,165 - It's totally crazy to have beaten a record 503 00:19:59,199 --> 00:20:02,068 that has been held for four years. 504 00:20:02,102 --> 00:20:03,303 - Nice. Go Jordan! 505 00:20:03,336 --> 00:20:05,271 - But I'm definitely not stopping now. 506 00:20:05,305 --> 00:20:07,440 There's a lot more buzzers to go. 507 00:20:10,944 --> 00:20:13,380 - Jordan's parents on the sideline. 508 00:20:13,413 --> 00:20:14,781 - Let's go! 509 00:20:14,814 --> 00:20:17,150 - Along with her coach, Flip Rodriguez. 510 00:20:17,183 --> 00:20:19,919 [countdown clock beeping] 511 00:20:19,953 --> 00:20:22,055 Set the record as the youngest woman 512 00:20:22,088 --> 00:20:23,857 to hit a qualifying buzzer. 513 00:20:23,890 --> 00:20:25,892 Tonight, she's aiming to be the youngest woman 514 00:20:25,925 --> 00:20:27,794 to hit a semifinals buzzer. 515 00:20:27,827 --> 00:20:29,896 - Matt, you talk to any of the ninjas out there 516 00:20:29,929 --> 00:20:32,665 that's around Jordan Carr, and they'll tell you, 517 00:20:32,699 --> 00:20:33,900 she's constantly asking questions 518 00:20:33,933 --> 00:20:35,135 about how to get better. 519 00:20:35,168 --> 00:20:36,870 - Do you see the power she's generating 520 00:20:36,903 --> 00:20:38,171 here on Lunatic Ledges? 521 00:20:38,204 --> 00:20:39,906 - Yeah, it's power and technique now 522 00:20:39,939 --> 00:20:41,341 because that's not easy to do. 523 00:20:41,374 --> 00:20:43,076 Not everybody has the technique on that. 524 00:20:43,109 --> 00:20:44,744 - Good job, J! Let's go. 525 00:20:44,778 --> 00:20:46,980 - She doesn't show a lot of emotion on the course, 526 00:20:47,013 --> 00:20:49,282 but she is a fierce competitor. 527 00:20:49,315 --> 00:20:52,385 She worked so hard for this. - Hey, confidence, confidence. 528 00:20:52,419 --> 00:20:54,054 You got this, J. 529 00:20:54,087 --> 00:20:56,256 - Flip's keeping her pumped up as she takes on an Air Surfer. 530 00:20:56,289 --> 00:20:57,657 - You got this, J. You got it. 531 00:20:57,691 --> 00:20:58,792 - This obstacle's taken out a lot 532 00:20:58,825 --> 00:21:00,627 of good ninjas in past seasons. 533 00:21:00,660 --> 00:21:03,863 Very easy to overshoot or undershoot that board. 534 00:21:05,899 --> 00:21:08,068 - Perfect. Come on. 535 00:21:08,068 --> 00:21:11,204 - Oh. Watch that left side. - Good correction. 536 00:21:11,237 --> 00:21:14,107 That left side of the board almost missed. 537 00:21:14,140 --> 00:21:17,077 - Oh, big power with authority, too, Matt. 538 00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:20,313 - Let's go, J! - Power, poise, everything. 539 00:21:20,347 --> 00:21:22,816 Jordan Carr, she is rolling. 540 00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:25,085 - Let's go! Let's go! 541 00:21:25,085 --> 00:21:27,787 - Matt, if it was me at 15, I'd be freaking out, 542 00:21:27,821 --> 00:21:30,890 but Jordan Carr is keeping it cool. 543 00:21:30,924 --> 00:21:33,226 - Taking a long look at Spinning Bridge. 544 00:21:33,259 --> 00:21:35,161 What kind of traction does this Carr have? 545 00:21:35,195 --> 00:21:36,730 - OK, watch this. Watch the horsepower here. 546 00:21:36,763 --> 00:21:37,964 Nice. OK. 547 00:21:37,997 --> 00:21:40,533 - Got through it, got through it. 548 00:21:40,567 --> 00:21:42,602 Wasn't as pretty as she was hoping, 549 00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:44,137 but she knows, she survived. 550 00:21:44,170 --> 00:21:45,505 Looks a little shaken up. 551 00:21:45,538 --> 00:21:46,840 - Let's look at it again. 552 00:21:46,873 --> 00:21:48,942 She started falling forward towards the end 553 00:21:48,975 --> 00:21:51,111 and landed right on her face. 554 00:21:51,144 --> 00:21:54,414 Ooh, Carr with a fender bender. 555 00:21:54,447 --> 00:21:56,449 - Looks like she took a blow to the nose, 556 00:21:56,483 --> 00:21:58,351 but she's gonna fight through it. 557 00:21:58,385 --> 00:22:00,286 Unfortunately, though, the next obstacle 558 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:02,288 is the very tough Kaleidoscope. 559 00:22:02,322 --> 00:22:04,491 - You got to take it, J. You got to take it. Come on. 560 00:22:04,524 --> 00:22:06,459 - Well, look, you are shaken up. 561 00:22:06,493 --> 00:22:08,361 Something always goes wrong. 562 00:22:08,395 --> 00:22:11,498 Now she really has to regroup and push through the pain. 563 00:22:11,531 --> 00:22:13,199 - Nice, J. Come on. 564 00:22:13,233 --> 00:22:15,235 - Again, a rock climber, has the grip strength, 565 00:22:15,268 --> 00:22:17,070 but how will that fall impact her? 566 00:22:17,070 --> 00:22:19,339 [cheers and applause] 567 00:22:19,372 --> 00:22:22,075 - Nice swing. 568 00:22:22,075 --> 00:22:23,309 Nice. Here we go. 569 00:22:23,343 --> 00:22:25,779 - Just looking so at ease here. 570 00:22:25,812 --> 00:22:27,147 - Up, up! 571 00:22:27,180 --> 00:22:29,082 - But here's where it gets tough. 572 00:22:29,082 --> 00:22:30,316 Big reach. 573 00:22:30,350 --> 00:22:31,951 Wow! Oh, no! 574 00:22:31,985 --> 00:22:35,088 - No! 575 00:22:35,088 --> 00:22:36,823 - The left wrist gave out. 576 00:22:36,856 --> 00:22:38,825 Now she's gonna have to wait and see 577 00:22:38,858 --> 00:22:40,727 if that gets her through to Vegas. 578 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:43,496 - Jordan Carr looked in complete control early 579 00:22:43,530 --> 00:22:45,865 until she stumbled on Spinning Bridge. 580 00:22:45,899 --> 00:22:47,934 And then, trying to make that big reach 581 00:22:47,967 --> 00:22:51,104 up on Kaleidoscope, she just couldn't hang on. 582 00:22:52,772 --> 00:22:54,140 - I'm sure she's disappointed, 583 00:22:54,174 --> 00:22:56,810 but still an incredible run for a rookie. 584 00:22:56,843 --> 00:22:59,145 And Flip's letting her know it. 585 00:22:59,179 --> 00:23:02,415 Well, a Phoenix is about to fly. 586 00:23:02,449 --> 00:23:05,218 We'll see Najee Richardson run next. 587 00:23:05,251 --> 00:23:10,056 And remember, the night ends over there at the Power Tower. 588 00:23:10,090 --> 00:23:11,391 - It's like Thunderdome. 589 00:23:11,424 --> 00:23:13,326 The two fastest ninjas enter. 590 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:16,262 Only one will come out with the Safety Pass. 591 00:23:21,101 --> 00:23:22,369 - We're in Hollywood, 592 00:23:22,402 --> 00:23:25,271 where everyone wants a good love story. 593 00:23:25,305 --> 00:23:27,974 And we had two of them while we were away. 594 00:23:28,074 --> 00:23:30,844 First up was Ohio's Jennifer Stefano 595 00:23:30,877 --> 00:23:33,747 and Ryan Sanders, high school sweethearts 596 00:23:33,780 --> 00:23:35,715 getting married in September. 597 00:23:35,749 --> 00:23:38,651 Stefano overcame crippling anxiety in qualifying 598 00:23:38,685 --> 00:23:41,354 to earn her first trip to the semifinals. 599 00:23:43,089 --> 00:23:45,725 - Come on, Jennifer Stefano. 600 00:23:45,759 --> 00:23:47,394 - The thrift store owner looked good 601 00:23:47,427 --> 00:23:51,097 through two obstacles but came up short on Air Surfer. 602 00:23:51,097 --> 00:23:53,366 - Oh! Hit the front end. 603 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:55,101 - Then the roles were reversed, 604 00:23:55,101 --> 00:23:56,569 and Sanders hit the course. 605 00:23:56,603 --> 00:23:59,272 And he was able to make it past Air Surfer. 606 00:23:59,305 --> 00:24:01,341 - Look at that hair flowing through, Matt. 607 00:24:01,374 --> 00:24:03,677 - Along with his fiancée, the long-haired rookie 608 00:24:03,710 --> 00:24:06,179 had some long-haired friends cheering him on. 609 00:24:06,212 --> 00:24:10,050 And Sanders was impressive as he conquered Kaleidoscope... 610 00:24:10,050 --> 00:24:12,419 [cheers and applause] 611 00:24:12,452 --> 00:24:15,522 And headed to the back half of the course. 612 00:24:15,555 --> 00:24:17,157 The groom-to-be made his way 613 00:24:17,190 --> 00:24:19,259 to the eighth obstacle, Ghost Town. 614 00:24:19,292 --> 00:24:21,394 - Come on, get up there. Oh! 615 00:24:23,063 --> 00:24:24,698 - Though he didn't get through, 616 00:24:24,731 --> 00:24:26,866 he's still got a good shot at moving on to Vegas. 617 00:24:26,900 --> 00:24:28,335 - That was so good. 618 00:24:28,368 --> 00:24:31,805 - Another ninja couple, Joe Capo and Abby Clark 619 00:24:31,838 --> 00:24:35,075 have been dating for more than ten years. 620 00:24:35,108 --> 00:24:36,609 Capo led things off. 621 00:24:36,643 --> 00:24:38,611 - Let's go! - Come on, Joe! 622 00:24:38,645 --> 00:24:40,714 - The 28-year-old from New Jersey has made it 623 00:24:40,747 --> 00:24:42,682 to the National Finals in the past. 624 00:24:42,716 --> 00:24:43,983 - Yeah! - Yeah! 625 00:24:44,084 --> 00:24:45,385 - But on Spinning Bridge... 626 00:24:45,418 --> 00:24:47,354 - Failed to--oh, oh! 627 00:24:47,387 --> 00:24:50,657 - His run came to a shocking early end. 628 00:24:50,690 --> 00:24:53,093 Then Abby took her shot at the course. 629 00:24:53,093 --> 00:24:55,495 And the former gymnast at Springfield College 630 00:24:55,528 --> 00:24:57,597 came out strong. - All right, come on, Abby. 631 00:24:57,630 --> 00:24:59,766 - Along with boyfriend Joe, the five-time veteran 632 00:24:59,799 --> 00:25:03,403 had her Jersey Girlz training partners cheering her on. 633 00:25:03,436 --> 00:25:06,039 And she was able to get past the Spinning Bridge. 634 00:25:06,039 --> 00:25:07,807 - * Oh, happy day * 635 00:25:07,841 --> 00:25:09,876 - And she became the first woman 636 00:25:09,909 --> 00:25:11,745 to get past Kaleidoscope. 637 00:25:11,778 --> 00:25:14,614 - Dear Abby, you are a beast. 638 00:25:14,647 --> 00:25:16,883 - But just like during last year's semis, 639 00:25:16,916 --> 00:25:18,485 she failed on the Warped Wall 640 00:25:18,518 --> 00:25:21,554 on her first, second, and third attempt. 641 00:25:21,588 --> 00:25:23,156 - Wow! 642 00:25:23,189 --> 00:25:27,360 - But she's still in good position to move on to Vegas. 643 00:25:27,394 --> 00:25:30,096 - Guys, I've got a bird's eye view for this run 644 00:25:30,130 --> 00:25:32,599 because it is time for the Phoenix to fly. 645 00:25:32,632 --> 00:25:36,102 I'm talking about Ninja favorite Najee Richardson. 646 00:25:36,136 --> 00:25:37,871 The seven-time Ninja veteran 647 00:25:37,904 --> 00:25:39,539 is a leader in the Ninja community. 648 00:25:39,572 --> 00:25:42,275 A hero to many, but his own hero 649 00:25:42,308 --> 00:25:45,712 is his grandfather, a civil rights pioneer. 650 00:25:45,745 --> 00:25:48,114 [solemn piano music] 651 00:25:48,148 --> 00:25:53,787 - Back in 1967, my grandfather was part of a student walkout. 652 00:25:53,820 --> 00:25:56,189 Thousands of Black students all across the city 653 00:25:56,222 --> 00:25:59,092 marched to the Board of Education to demand 654 00:25:59,092 --> 00:26:01,027 better resources 655 00:26:01,061 --> 00:26:03,563 for Black students and neighborhood schools. 656 00:26:03,596 --> 00:26:06,533 - * Nobody else can tell you * 657 00:26:06,566 --> 00:26:07,901 * * 658 00:26:07,934 --> 00:26:11,705 * Where your life is gonna lead * 659 00:26:11,738 --> 00:26:14,407 - Here we are, 2022, and it's finally 660 00:26:14,441 --> 00:26:17,844 being recognized with a historical marker. 661 00:26:17,877 --> 00:26:19,279 My grandfather had no idea, 662 00:26:19,312 --> 00:26:21,448 so I decided to take him to the spot 663 00:26:21,481 --> 00:26:24,117 and show him that what he did really mattered. 664 00:26:24,150 --> 00:26:25,952 Check this out, Grandpa. 665 00:26:26,052 --> 00:26:29,956 You are a part of Philadelphia history. 666 00:26:31,257 --> 00:26:32,325 - You didn't know this was up here, did you? 667 00:26:32,359 --> 00:26:33,493 - Uh-uh. 668 00:26:33,526 --> 00:26:36,062 - Black student walkout, 1967. 669 00:26:36,096 --> 00:26:37,530 You were just a teenager. 670 00:26:37,564 --> 00:26:41,201 - I was a teenager, just turned 18. 671 00:26:41,234 --> 00:26:46,439 - * Oh, what would we be * 672 00:26:46,473 --> 00:26:49,743 * If we could be anything? * 673 00:26:49,776 --> 00:26:51,544 - The amount of students that walked out 674 00:26:51,578 --> 00:26:53,546 was over 10,000 students. 675 00:26:53,580 --> 00:26:56,249 They had never seen anything like that before. 676 00:26:56,282 --> 00:27:00,553 It was a real call for change. 677 00:27:00,587 --> 00:27:02,355 - I love this city. 678 00:27:02,389 --> 00:27:04,224 Get out and make sure your voice is heard. 679 00:27:04,257 --> 00:27:07,027 People my age are kind of making sure 680 00:27:07,060 --> 00:27:09,029 that what you guys did didn't go in vain. 681 00:27:09,029 --> 00:27:11,564 Thank you for being an inspiration to me. 682 00:27:11,598 --> 00:27:15,168 During 2020, I went and I protested in Philadelphia. 683 00:27:15,201 --> 00:27:18,405 Now I'm someone that can do my part 684 00:27:18,438 --> 00:27:21,141 to change whatever needs changing now. 685 00:27:21,174 --> 00:27:23,143 - To have a grandson 686 00:27:23,176 --> 00:27:26,312 to even think that this is important-- 687 00:27:26,346 --> 00:27:28,682 I can't tell you how much this meant to me. 688 00:27:28,715 --> 00:27:31,051 - Good. Oh, that makes me so happy, Grandpa. 689 00:27:31,084 --> 00:27:32,419 That makes me so happy. 690 00:27:39,159 --> 00:27:40,860 - And Najee's gonna have Grandpa 691 00:27:40,894 --> 00:27:43,063 watching this run back in Philadelphia. 692 00:27:43,063 --> 00:27:45,065 - Go ahead now. 693 00:27:45,098 --> 00:27:48,234 - Along with his fiancée and his parents. 694 00:27:48,268 --> 00:27:51,137 - I love you! Let's go! 695 00:27:51,171 --> 00:27:52,505 [countdown clock beeping] 696 00:27:52,539 --> 00:27:54,407 - You got it, Naj! 697 00:27:54,441 --> 00:27:57,877 - Missed last season because of a severe ankle injury, 698 00:27:57,911 --> 00:28:00,213 but he's coming back strong so far this year. 699 00:28:00,246 --> 00:28:01,715 Hit a buzzer in qualifying. 700 00:28:01,748 --> 00:28:03,416 - Well, there's a reason why they call him 701 00:28:03,450 --> 00:28:04,651 the Phoenix, Matt. 702 00:28:04,684 --> 00:28:06,453 Because he has risen from the ashes. 703 00:28:06,486 --> 00:28:07,787 He's come back stronger. 704 00:28:07,821 --> 00:28:09,923 And he's actually put about 15 pounds 705 00:28:10,023 --> 00:28:12,859 of muscle since we last saw him two years ago. 706 00:28:12,892 --> 00:28:14,260 Nice. 707 00:28:14,294 --> 00:28:15,829 - Looking to get back to the National Finals 708 00:28:15,862 --> 00:28:18,798 for the sixth time in his Ninja career. 709 00:28:18,832 --> 00:28:20,133 - Let's go! 710 00:28:20,166 --> 00:28:22,035 - He's got Joe Moravsky and other Ninja friends 711 00:28:22,035 --> 00:28:24,037 down on the sideline. 712 00:28:24,037 --> 00:28:26,039 And the man always has a smile on his face. 713 00:28:26,072 --> 00:28:28,308 He is a stud. - There you go. 714 00:28:28,341 --> 00:28:30,377 - Watch him here on Air Surfer. 715 00:28:30,410 --> 00:28:31,845 The guy can lache. 716 00:28:31,878 --> 00:28:34,314 - Holds the record for the longest lache. 717 00:28:34,347 --> 00:28:37,083 But here comes the big move, Matt. 718 00:28:37,117 --> 00:28:38,685 Oh, my--oh, my goodness. 719 00:28:38,718 --> 00:28:41,688 - Did you see that? Did you see the ease? 720 00:28:41,721 --> 00:28:43,089 - Let's go, Naj! 721 00:28:43,123 --> 00:28:48,094 - Yeah. There you go. That's what I'm talking about. 722 00:28:48,128 --> 00:28:49,763 - Grandpa liked that move. Now it's Spinning Bridge. 723 00:28:49,796 --> 00:28:52,098 And no one likes balance obstacles. 724 00:28:52,132 --> 00:28:53,566 - Especially when you've suffered an injury. 725 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:54,768 - Right through. 726 00:28:54,801 --> 00:28:56,169 - You see, he was a little tender 727 00:28:56,202 --> 00:28:57,671 through Spinning Bridge. 728 00:28:57,704 --> 00:29:00,106 - You got it, man! Let's go! 729 00:29:00,140 --> 00:29:03,476 - Taking a deep breath before he takes on Kaleidoscope. 730 00:29:03,510 --> 00:29:05,311 This has been the biggest roadblock tonight. 731 00:29:05,345 --> 00:29:07,614 - Matt, he's a former top-level gymnast. 732 00:29:07,647 --> 00:29:09,149 We know he can lache. 733 00:29:09,182 --> 00:29:11,217 It's the landing on these small ledges. 734 00:29:11,251 --> 00:29:13,086 - Come on, man. You trained for real. 735 00:29:13,119 --> 00:29:16,456 - This guy just flies. - It's like nothing to him. 736 00:29:16,489 --> 00:29:19,025 - Just needs to hang on and turn this last wheel. 737 00:29:19,059 --> 00:29:21,094 - That's that gymnast background, 738 00:29:21,127 --> 00:29:24,497 that Ninja experience, right there. 739 00:29:24,531 --> 00:29:25,799 - And he makes that last grab. 740 00:29:25,832 --> 00:29:28,201 - Matt, that's the easiest anyone has made it look. 741 00:29:29,402 --> 00:29:31,404 - And the Phoenix flies through. 742 00:29:31,438 --> 00:29:34,107 - Whoo! - Here we go. 743 00:29:34,140 --> 00:29:35,608 - Let's go, Naj. 744 00:29:35,642 --> 00:29:37,077 - Halfway to a buzzer. 745 00:29:37,110 --> 00:29:40,113 These semifinals courses are a beast. 746 00:29:40,146 --> 00:29:42,115 - We saw even some of the young ninjas gassed now. 747 00:29:42,148 --> 00:29:43,850 - He knows how to pace himself. 748 00:29:43,883 --> 00:29:45,785 - And he's headed to the Salmon Ladder. 749 00:29:45,819 --> 00:29:48,855 [cheers and applause] 750 00:29:49,689 --> 00:29:51,091 Uh-oh. 751 00:29:51,124 --> 00:29:52,559 Looks like he's stopping to stretch out that ankle. 752 00:29:52,592 --> 00:29:54,527 - Stretch it out. - There you go. 753 00:29:54,561 --> 00:29:56,363 - Well, his injury last year was bad. 754 00:29:56,396 --> 00:29:58,064 He was on crutches for two months. 755 00:29:58,098 --> 00:29:59,766 But looks like he's gonna keep going. 756 00:29:59,799 --> 00:30:01,668 - Yeah, he's got to block that out, though, Matt. 757 00:30:01,701 --> 00:30:03,269 He's got to block that because he's got to make 758 00:30:03,303 --> 00:30:06,206 that jump on that trampoline to get on the Salmon Ladder. 759 00:30:07,607 --> 00:30:10,677 - The crowd looking concerned, but he's smiling now. 760 00:30:10,710 --> 00:30:12,512 I think he's gonna be OK. 761 00:30:12,545 --> 00:30:15,148 - Can't nobody keep the Phoenix down. 762 00:30:15,181 --> 00:30:17,117 - No problem with the trampoline, though. 763 00:30:17,150 --> 00:30:19,352 That's a good sign. 764 00:30:19,386 --> 00:30:21,054 Seems to be all right, 765 00:30:21,087 --> 00:30:23,423 and no problem with the Salmon Ladder. 766 00:30:25,191 --> 00:30:27,127 - Right, all right. Come on. 767 00:30:27,160 --> 00:30:29,496 - You know there's no quit in Najee Richardson. 768 00:30:29,529 --> 00:30:30,830 This course is tough tonight, 769 00:30:30,864 --> 00:30:32,665 but if Najee can get through Ghost Town, 770 00:30:32,699 --> 00:30:35,135 he'll have a good chance of getting to Vegas. 771 00:30:36,403 --> 00:30:37,570 No finishers so far. 772 00:30:37,604 --> 00:30:40,540 Najee would love to be our first. 773 00:30:40,573 --> 00:30:42,942 - Nice. Great connect right there. 774 00:30:44,944 --> 00:30:47,247 - One more big swing here on Ghost Town. 775 00:30:48,415 --> 00:30:49,616 both: Oh! 776 00:30:49,649 --> 00:30:51,584 - Just flew right out of the cradle. 777 00:30:51,618 --> 00:30:52,952 - What? 778 00:30:55,055 --> 00:30:56,489 Sha na na. 779 00:30:56,523 --> 00:30:59,626 - And he's looking up like, what just happened? 780 00:30:59,659 --> 00:31:00,894 Now he'll have to wait to see 781 00:31:00,927 --> 00:31:02,696 if that's gets him through to Vegas. 782 00:31:02,729 --> 00:31:04,698 - That's good. That's good. 783 00:31:04,731 --> 00:31:06,466 - All right, so here's how it went down. 784 00:31:06,499 --> 00:31:08,335 He was trying to build up momentum, 785 00:31:08,368 --> 00:31:10,837 and the bar just slid right off the front. 786 00:31:10,870 --> 00:31:14,874 When you enter Ghost Town, you better come correct. 787 00:31:14,908 --> 00:31:16,309 - Can you talk to me about what 788 00:31:16,343 --> 00:31:18,178 went wrong on Ghost Town here? 789 00:31:18,211 --> 00:31:20,447 - I think I just underestimated 790 00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:22,515 how light that bar was. 791 00:31:22,549 --> 00:31:24,617 And honestly, I'm coming into this 792 00:31:24,651 --> 00:31:26,953 15 pounds heavier than I've ever come into a competition. 793 00:31:26,986 --> 00:31:28,888 - I noticed you packed on a couple of pounds. 794 00:31:28,922 --> 00:31:30,123 It looks good. 795 00:31:30,156 --> 00:31:31,558 - I've always been used to just being able 796 00:31:31,591 --> 00:31:33,393 to throw my body around on these obstacles, 797 00:31:33,426 --> 00:31:35,695 and I guess being a little heavier this year, 798 00:31:35,729 --> 00:31:37,197 I got to dial it back a little bit. 799 00:31:37,230 --> 00:31:39,099 So I just--yeah, just pulled it right off. 800 00:31:39,099 --> 00:31:40,533 - OK, fair enough. 801 00:31:40,567 --> 00:31:42,669 We'll know soon if you went far enough, fast enough. 802 00:31:42,702 --> 00:31:44,204 Great work out there, Najee. 803 00:31:44,237 --> 00:31:46,139 Matt, Akbar. 804 00:31:46,172 --> 00:31:50,410 - Up next, Flip Rodriguez is bringing the mask back. 805 00:31:50,443 --> 00:31:51,845 We'll tell you why when 806 00:31:51,878 --> 00:31:54,414 "American Ninja Warrior" returns. 807 00:31:58,585 --> 00:32:00,353 - While we were away, two different generations 808 00:32:00,387 --> 00:32:03,757 of ninjas took their shot at the semifinals course. 809 00:32:03,790 --> 00:32:05,592 16-year-old Addy Herman was trying 810 00:32:05,625 --> 00:32:08,228 to earn her first trip to Vegas. 811 00:32:08,261 --> 00:32:11,064 And she moved quickly through the early obstacles. 812 00:32:11,097 --> 00:32:12,599 - Great timing, great pace. 813 00:32:12,632 --> 00:32:15,435 - Last year in the semifinals, her rookie season ended 814 00:32:15,468 --> 00:32:17,637 on the fourth obstacle, Spinning Bridge. 815 00:32:17,671 --> 00:32:21,608 - No, no, no, no! Oh! 816 00:32:21,641 --> 00:32:23,877 - Tonight, the Massachusetts teenager 817 00:32:23,910 --> 00:32:25,512 faced the same obstacle. 818 00:32:25,545 --> 00:32:27,247 - All right. Here we go, Matt. 819 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:30,550 Come on, come on. Nice. You go, girl! 820 00:32:30,583 --> 00:32:32,185 [cheers and applause] 821 00:32:32,218 --> 00:32:33,553 - And she looked like she might 822 00:32:33,586 --> 00:32:35,088 conquer Kaleidoscope. 823 00:32:35,088 --> 00:32:38,258 - Hold on, Addy. Oh! 824 00:32:38,291 --> 00:32:39,659 - But her fast time means 825 00:32:39,693 --> 00:32:43,263 she's still got a good shot of moving on. 826 00:32:43,296 --> 00:32:47,300 Then it was a competitor over twice her age, Dave Cavanagh. 827 00:32:47,334 --> 00:32:49,669 And he used his eight years of Ninja experience 828 00:32:49,703 --> 00:32:51,438 to conquer Kaleidoscope. 829 00:32:51,471 --> 00:32:53,807 - Cavanagh is like, no, I ain't 830 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:56,343 about to let these teens push me out. 831 00:32:56,376 --> 00:32:59,112 - With his wife Jenny hanging on every move, 832 00:32:59,112 --> 00:33:01,047 Cavanagh became just the second athlete 833 00:33:01,047 --> 00:33:02,615 to get past Ghost Town. 834 00:33:02,649 --> 00:33:04,617 - This dude's a Ghostbuster. 835 00:33:04,651 --> 00:33:08,054 - At Split Decision, he gave Spin Zone a look 836 00:33:08,054 --> 00:33:11,257 but opted for the upper body test of Dragonback. 837 00:33:11,291 --> 00:33:12,459 - Gather yourself. 838 00:33:12,492 --> 00:33:14,060 Oh! 839 00:33:14,060 --> 00:33:16,696 - It may still be early, but that strong run 840 00:33:16,730 --> 00:33:19,232 puts him in good position to move on to Vegas. 841 00:33:23,370 --> 00:33:25,071 - And we've actually got Cavanagh's 842 00:33:25,105 --> 00:33:27,207 old student on the course right now. 843 00:33:27,240 --> 00:33:30,076 It's the five-time veteran Lucas Reale. 844 00:33:31,244 --> 00:33:32,412 - Nice. 845 00:33:32,445 --> 00:33:34,080 - He is one of the most popular ninjas. 846 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:35,682 Look at his sideline. 847 00:33:35,715 --> 00:33:37,751 So many ninjas he's coached or trained 848 00:33:37,784 --> 00:33:38,985 up in Massachusetts, 849 00:33:39,085 --> 00:33:41,388 and they're all showing their support. 850 00:33:41,421 --> 00:33:43,957 Love seeing the smile on his face. 851 00:33:43,990 --> 00:33:46,659 What a joyous young man Lucas is. 852 00:33:46,693 --> 00:33:48,161 23 years old. 853 00:33:48,194 --> 00:33:49,362 Amazing. 854 00:33:49,396 --> 00:33:51,531 23 and a seasoned veteran. 855 00:33:52,966 --> 00:33:54,968 - There's his grandparents and one of his aunts 856 00:33:55,001 --> 00:33:56,803 watching back in Connecticut. 857 00:33:56,836 --> 00:33:59,506 [cheers and applause] 858 00:33:59,539 --> 00:34:01,408 He's one of the most influential coaches 859 00:34:01,441 --> 00:34:03,043 in the country. 860 00:34:03,043 --> 00:34:04,044 And there are more of his students 861 00:34:04,077 --> 00:34:05,512 watching back in Boston. 862 00:34:05,545 --> 00:34:08,114 - He had no problem on the first six obstacles. 863 00:34:08,148 --> 00:34:10,517 What does he have left for the final four? 864 00:34:11,785 --> 00:34:14,220 - He's finished a semifinals course before, 865 00:34:14,254 --> 00:34:15,522 and he gets through Salmon Ladder. 866 00:34:15,555 --> 00:34:18,758 [cheers and applause] 867 00:34:18,792 --> 00:34:21,828 Facing this brand-new obstacle, Ghost Town, 868 00:34:21,861 --> 00:34:24,631 which is unlike any obstacle we've ever had before. 869 00:34:24,664 --> 00:34:26,733 These counterweighted cradles. 870 00:34:26,766 --> 00:34:29,636 - And Matt, I'm afraid of ghosts, believe it or not. 871 00:34:29,669 --> 00:34:31,104 - I do believe in them. 872 00:34:31,137 --> 00:34:33,139 - I don't like ghosts. I don't mess with ghosts. 873 00:34:33,173 --> 00:34:35,975 - He's making like Pac-Man. He's eating up these ghosts. 874 00:34:36,076 --> 00:34:37,944 [cheers and applause] 875 00:34:37,977 --> 00:34:39,746 And look at him sticking the tongue out. 876 00:34:39,779 --> 00:34:42,082 - Matt, he out here playing with these ghosts. 877 00:34:43,883 --> 00:34:45,919 - He's having a blast. 878 00:34:48,188 --> 00:34:50,190 Now it's Split Decision. 879 00:34:50,223 --> 00:34:52,592 It looks like he's waving off Dragonback. 880 00:34:52,625 --> 00:34:54,761 He's telling his friends he's gonna try Spin Zone. 881 00:34:54,794 --> 00:34:55,895 - Let's go. 882 00:34:55,929 --> 00:34:57,430 - No. - Yes, yes. 883 00:34:57,464 --> 00:34:58,865 - Is he gonna be the first... - Yes, he's doing it. 884 00:34:58,898 --> 00:35:00,834 - To attempt the Spin Zone? 885 00:35:00,867 --> 00:35:03,269 - He's a brave man to try it. 886 00:35:03,303 --> 00:35:04,804 both: Oh! 887 00:35:04,838 --> 00:35:06,072 - Did the splits! 888 00:35:06,106 --> 00:35:08,208 - But give him credit, he was the first 889 00:35:08,241 --> 00:35:11,711 to give Spin Zone a try, but comes up just short. 890 00:35:11,745 --> 00:35:13,513 Still, he made it to the ninth obstacle. 891 00:35:13,546 --> 00:35:15,482 He's got a good shot at going to Vegas. 892 00:35:15,515 --> 00:35:18,418 - This is why everyone's scared of Spin Zone. 893 00:35:18,451 --> 00:35:20,253 As soon as you touch them, 894 00:35:20,286 --> 00:35:23,490 they start rotating, and you need big strides. 895 00:35:23,523 --> 00:35:26,192 Reale barely got to that fourth one. 896 00:35:26,226 --> 00:35:28,094 - Man, this is a hard one. 897 00:35:28,128 --> 00:35:30,096 There's a reason no one's done it. 898 00:35:30,130 --> 00:35:32,165 - Our next ninja is used to being 899 00:35:32,198 --> 00:35:33,967 on movie sets like this. 900 00:35:34,067 --> 00:35:36,469 Flip Rodriguez is a Hollywood stuntman 901 00:35:36,503 --> 00:35:39,139 who is very busy, but that's not all he's been up to. 902 00:35:39,172 --> 00:35:41,074 Flip is now an author. 903 00:35:41,107 --> 00:35:43,943 His book is called "The Man Behind the Mask." 904 00:35:43,977 --> 00:35:46,413 As you can see, Flip is wearing a mask tonight, 905 00:35:46,446 --> 00:35:48,782 a throwback to his early Ninja days, 906 00:35:48,815 --> 00:35:51,184 and a reminder of what he's overcome. 907 00:35:53,386 --> 00:35:54,854 - * Can you feel it? * 908 00:35:54,888 --> 00:35:56,423 - I started "American Ninja Warrior" 909 00:35:56,456 --> 00:35:57,524 as the Masked Man. 910 00:35:57,557 --> 00:36:00,827 - * Can you feel it? * 911 00:36:00,860 --> 00:36:02,629 - The mask for me was like a security blanket, 912 00:36:02,662 --> 00:36:05,298 in a sense of, can't see emotion. 913 00:36:05,331 --> 00:36:08,668 People's faces would tell you how much pain they're in. 914 00:36:08,702 --> 00:36:10,403 [soft pensive music] 915 00:36:10,437 --> 00:36:12,806 So the mask was kind of like a way 916 00:36:12,839 --> 00:36:15,241 for no one to really see it. 917 00:36:15,275 --> 00:36:16,710 - * I'm gonna be what I want * 918 00:36:16,743 --> 00:36:19,412 * When I want, when I want, yeah * 919 00:36:19,446 --> 00:36:21,514 - One season, the mask came off. 920 00:36:21,548 --> 00:36:23,216 - That is a bold statement. 921 00:36:23,249 --> 00:36:27,420 - I felt comfortable enough to talk about my story. 922 00:36:27,454 --> 00:36:32,625 Um, from about the ages of 9 to 15, I was sexually abused. 923 00:36:35,595 --> 00:36:38,198 How do you--how do you tell somebody that-- 924 00:36:38,231 --> 00:36:39,866 what's happening behind closed doors? 925 00:36:39,899 --> 00:36:42,535 Like, you're afraid for your life. 926 00:36:43,770 --> 00:36:46,940 Talking about my story helped me understand 927 00:36:46,973 --> 00:36:48,341 that vulnerability is a strength. 928 00:36:48,375 --> 00:36:50,276 It's not a weakness. 929 00:36:50,310 --> 00:36:53,246 Now I'm writing a book to tell my story. 930 00:36:53,279 --> 00:36:55,782 It's called "The Man Behind the Mask." 931 00:36:55,815 --> 00:36:57,550 In order for me to write this book, 932 00:36:57,584 --> 00:36:59,219 I had to relive everything again. 933 00:36:59,252 --> 00:37:04,257 * * 934 00:37:04,290 --> 00:37:06,559 - * Can you feel it? * 935 00:37:06,593 --> 00:37:09,696 - But I knew it was worth me going back 936 00:37:09,729 --> 00:37:12,699 into that dark place in hopes that it 937 00:37:12,732 --> 00:37:16,036 helps somebody else realize that, 938 00:37:16,069 --> 00:37:18,071 if he did that, I can do it too. 939 00:37:18,104 --> 00:37:20,774 - * Every chip out on the table * 940 00:37:20,807 --> 00:37:23,743 * I'm gonna leave it * 941 00:37:23,777 --> 00:37:25,412 - I'm wearing the mask at the start line 942 00:37:25,445 --> 00:37:30,350 to show the symbol of hope and to be fearless. 943 00:37:30,383 --> 00:37:33,219 12 seasons in a row I've been on "American Ninja Warrior." 944 00:37:33,253 --> 00:37:36,756 Just shows how far and reminds me how far I've come. 945 00:37:36,790 --> 00:37:39,059 - * Can you feel it? * 946 00:37:39,059 --> 00:37:42,295 - And whatever happens, there's always hope. 947 00:37:42,328 --> 00:37:46,132 * * 948 00:37:47,901 --> 00:37:49,669 - And Flip's already started his run. 949 00:37:49,703 --> 00:37:51,504 Now on the fifth obstacle. 950 00:37:51,538 --> 00:37:54,407 And Akbar, we have such admiration for this guy. 951 00:37:54,441 --> 00:37:57,243 Telling his very personal, painful story, 952 00:37:57,277 --> 00:37:58,845 it takes so much courage, 953 00:37:58,878 --> 00:38:00,613 and he's helped so many people. 954 00:38:00,647 --> 00:38:02,649 - Everyone loves Flip Rodriguez. 955 00:38:02,682 --> 00:38:04,551 - And he's through five obstacles. 956 00:38:04,584 --> 00:38:07,887 - And there's a big smile. 957 00:38:07,921 --> 00:38:10,256 Matt, we know that Flip's been training with RJ Roman, 958 00:38:10,290 --> 00:38:11,624 getting ready for this season. 959 00:38:11,658 --> 00:38:14,260 - Now 32 years old, he's twice as old 960 00:38:14,294 --> 00:38:15,528 as some of the teenagers. 961 00:38:15,562 --> 00:38:16,596 - That's crazy when you say it like that. 962 00:38:16,629 --> 00:38:18,031 - I know. 963 00:38:18,031 --> 00:38:19,232 - I mean, because, remember, it wasn't that long-- 964 00:38:19,265 --> 00:38:20,467 - He was the young gun. 965 00:38:20,500 --> 00:38:21,935 - he was the young gun. - Oh, my goodness. 966 00:38:22,035 --> 00:38:24,738 - And now you talk about he's twice as old as somebody? 967 00:38:24,771 --> 00:38:26,172 - Let's go, Flip. You got this. 968 00:38:26,206 --> 00:38:27,440 - There are a couple of those new young ninjas, 969 00:38:27,474 --> 00:38:29,275 Cal Plohoros and Jordan Carr. 970 00:38:29,309 --> 00:38:30,777 They're watching backstage. 971 00:38:30,810 --> 00:38:32,178 Flip coached both of them. 972 00:38:32,212 --> 00:38:34,547 - Everyone wants Flip to get back to Vegas. 973 00:38:34,581 --> 00:38:36,683 He missed out last year for the first time 974 00:38:36,716 --> 00:38:38,051 since season six. 975 00:38:38,084 --> 00:38:41,054 - Been a few years since he's hit any buzzer. 976 00:38:41,054 --> 00:38:42,956 Should be OK on Salmon Ladder. 977 00:38:43,056 --> 00:38:44,758 - Boom. 978 00:38:44,791 --> 00:38:46,760 Boom shakalaka, just like that. 979 00:38:46,793 --> 00:38:49,162 - Go, Flip! Let's go. 980 00:38:49,195 --> 00:38:51,197 - But now it's Ghost Town. 981 00:38:51,231 --> 00:38:53,199 The eighth obstacle frequently decides 982 00:38:53,233 --> 00:38:56,202 who gets into the top 15 and who goes home. 983 00:38:56,236 --> 00:38:58,071 If Flip can get past it, he'll have 984 00:38:58,071 --> 00:39:00,006 a much better chance of getting back to Vegas. 985 00:39:00,006 --> 00:39:01,875 - Nice. 986 00:39:01,908 --> 00:39:03,810 There's a guy that has reached stage two 987 00:39:03,843 --> 00:39:06,446 in Vegas six times in his career. 988 00:39:06,479 --> 00:39:09,549 So he has the experience to go far. 989 00:39:09,582 --> 00:39:12,886 - You can see, measured up a foot and a half up here. 990 00:39:12,919 --> 00:39:14,287 - Nice. - Got it. 991 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:15,789 - You know, with these ninjas, 992 00:39:15,822 --> 00:39:18,558 especially the veterans, they like these new obstacles. 993 00:39:18,591 --> 00:39:20,827 - And Flip definitely likes this one 994 00:39:20,860 --> 00:39:21,895 because he's through! 995 00:39:21,928 --> 00:39:25,031 - Yes! Let's go! Come on, Flip. 996 00:39:25,031 --> 00:39:28,168 - He's now the fourth athlete to reach Split Decision. 997 00:39:28,201 --> 00:39:30,704 Will it be Dragonback or Spin Zone? 998 00:39:30,737 --> 00:39:33,139 - Matt, he fell on Dragonback two years ago. 999 00:39:33,173 --> 00:39:34,474 - No! 1000 00:39:34,507 --> 00:39:36,176 - So we know he doesn't like that one. 1001 00:39:36,209 --> 00:39:39,045 But Spin Zone just looks like "Mission: Impossible." 1002 00:39:39,045 --> 00:39:42,882 - Lucas Reale just fell here. But Flip's gonna try it. 1003 00:39:42,916 --> 00:39:44,150 - I know Flip Rodriguez. 1004 00:39:44,184 --> 00:39:45,785 He wants to play on the new toys. 1005 00:39:45,819 --> 00:39:47,654 He wants to test his skills. - Great shot there. 1006 00:39:47,687 --> 00:39:48,888 You can see how they're angled, 1007 00:39:48,922 --> 00:39:51,458 and the steps are very small up front. 1008 00:39:51,491 --> 00:39:53,426 - And he's got the skills to pay the bills. 1009 00:39:53,460 --> 00:39:54,461 Oh, yes! 1010 00:39:54,494 --> 00:39:55,829 - Let's go! 1011 00:39:55,862 --> 00:39:58,865 - Oh, shoot! Oh, my gosh! - Flip did it! 1012 00:39:58,898 --> 00:40:01,001 I can't believe it! He did it! 1013 00:40:01,034 --> 00:40:04,004 - The first to get through the Spin Zone. 1014 00:40:04,037 --> 00:40:06,306 - Let's go! Yes! 1015 00:40:06,339 --> 00:40:09,042 - He worked so hard with RJ Roman 1016 00:40:09,075 --> 00:40:11,411 to get ready for this, and it is paying off. 1017 00:40:11,444 --> 00:40:14,581 He's got a chance to be our first finisher. 1018 00:40:14,614 --> 00:40:16,349 Up now on Spider Trap. 1019 00:40:16,383 --> 00:40:18,284 - It's been a long time since Flip hit 1020 00:40:18,318 --> 00:40:21,755 a semifinals buzzer, hit any buzzer at all. 1021 00:40:21,788 --> 00:40:24,824 - Wow. - Three years in the making. 1022 00:40:24,858 --> 00:40:27,460 all: [chanting] Flip! Flip! Flip! Flip! 1023 00:40:27,494 --> 00:40:31,731 - He brought the mask back and turned the clock back. 1024 00:40:31,765 --> 00:40:35,669 Flip Rodriguez is going back to Vegas! 1025 00:40:35,702 --> 00:40:37,337 Our first finisher. 1026 00:40:37,370 --> 00:40:40,774 [buzzer blares] - Yeah! 1027 00:40:40,807 --> 00:40:42,275 Let's go! 1028 00:40:42,308 --> 00:40:44,944 [cheers and applause] 1029 00:40:44,978 --> 00:40:48,982 Hard work pays off. Let's go! 1030 00:40:49,015 --> 00:40:54,054 - Matt, I think we just woke up a sleeping giant. 1031 00:40:54,087 --> 00:40:55,755 - * Can you feel it? * 1032 00:40:55,789 --> 00:40:58,792 * Can you feel it? * 1033 00:40:58,825 --> 00:41:01,895 - And Jordan Carr is so emotional. 1034 00:41:01,928 --> 00:41:05,765 - J! - Oh, wow. Oh, come on. 1035 00:41:05,799 --> 00:41:07,901 I'm getting emotional now. 1036 00:41:07,934 --> 00:41:10,236 - Can't believe I'm back, baby! 1037 00:41:10,270 --> 00:41:12,372 [cheers and applause] 1038 00:41:12,405 --> 00:41:14,607 - Flip, what did it mean to you to bring 1039 00:41:14,641 --> 00:41:16,743 that mask back out with your book coming out, 1040 00:41:16,776 --> 00:41:18,611 "The Man Behind the Mask?" 1041 00:41:18,645 --> 00:41:21,748 - You know, writing the book felt 1042 00:41:21,781 --> 00:41:24,818 like I needed to bring the mask back as a protection 1043 00:41:24,851 --> 00:41:28,388 of who I am because this book is gonna be very vulnerable. 1044 00:41:28,421 --> 00:41:30,824 It's gonna talk about my past and what 1045 00:41:30,857 --> 00:41:34,094 I went through in order to come to the man I am today. 1046 00:41:34,127 --> 00:41:36,596 And it feels good that he's back. 1047 00:41:36,629 --> 00:41:38,231 I got to be honest with you. 1048 00:41:38,264 --> 00:41:42,435 - Spin Zone looked unbeatable, but Flip found a way across, 1049 00:41:42,469 --> 00:41:45,405 took big strides, and tumbled through, 1050 00:41:45,438 --> 00:41:48,541 then climbed his way to our first buzzer of the night. 1051 00:41:48,575 --> 00:41:51,644 - Yeah! 1052 00:41:51,678 --> 00:41:53,446 - Hit that buzzer one more time. 1053 00:41:53,480 --> 00:41:56,182 [buzzer blares] - Yeah! 1054 00:41:56,216 --> 00:41:59,185 Whoo! 1055 00:41:59,219 --> 00:42:01,821 - * Can you feel it? * 1056 00:42:01,855 --> 00:42:04,791 - Coming up, he made it to the Power Tower 1057 00:42:04,824 --> 00:42:06,659 last year as a 15-year-old. 1058 00:42:06,693 --> 00:42:08,962 - Look at this! And Pippel moving up! 1059 00:42:09,062 --> 00:42:11,264 - Can rising star Josiah Pippel 1060 00:42:11,297 --> 00:42:12,899 get back there again this season? 1061 00:42:12,932 --> 00:42:16,670 His run's next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1062 00:42:20,240 --> 00:42:21,274 - Welcome back to New York Street 1063 00:42:21,307 --> 00:42:23,209 on the Universal Studios backlot, 1064 00:42:23,243 --> 00:42:24,577 where we're about halfway through 1065 00:42:24,611 --> 00:42:26,246 our first night of semifinals. 1066 00:42:26,279 --> 00:42:29,082 - But this course is running rough and tough, 1067 00:42:29,115 --> 00:42:32,786 especially this new fifth obstacle, Kaleidoscope. 1068 00:42:32,819 --> 00:42:34,621 - Just in the last few minutes, 1069 00:42:34,654 --> 00:42:37,524 we saw New Jersey's Alex Begolly spin out. 1070 00:42:37,557 --> 00:42:38,892 - Oh! 1071 00:42:38,925 --> 00:42:41,261 - Then Boston area police officer 1072 00:42:41,294 --> 00:42:43,530 John Uga just gassed out. 1073 00:42:43,563 --> 00:42:46,366 He needs backup. - Oh! 1074 00:42:46,399 --> 00:42:48,568 - 16-year-old James Sannella looked 1075 00:42:48,601 --> 00:42:50,603 like he had Kaleidoscope conquered 1076 00:42:50,637 --> 00:42:52,005 for a second. 1077 00:42:52,105 --> 00:42:53,473 Oh! 1078 00:42:53,506 --> 00:42:57,610 - Sannella, the latest victim of Kaleidoscope. 1079 00:42:57,644 --> 00:43:00,580 - New York City's Xavier Dantzler played running back 1080 00:43:00,613 --> 00:43:02,415 on his high school football team. 1081 00:43:02,449 --> 00:43:04,484 And with his mom cheering him on, 1082 00:43:04,517 --> 00:43:07,253 the 17-year-old showed some of that toughness 1083 00:43:07,287 --> 00:43:10,123 as he took a blow on the second obstacle. 1084 00:43:10,156 --> 00:43:11,491 - Hard fall. 1085 00:43:11,524 --> 00:43:13,793 - Then had to tumble through the fourth. 1086 00:43:13,827 --> 00:43:15,929 - Oh, survives. 1087 00:43:15,962 --> 00:43:18,264 - And all those hits seemed to catch up to him 1088 00:43:18,298 --> 00:43:19,399 on the fifth. 1089 00:43:19,432 --> 00:43:21,301 Wow. Oh, no! 1090 00:43:21,334 --> 00:43:22,702 Oh! 1091 00:43:22,736 --> 00:43:26,806 As he too was brought down by Kaleidoscope. 1092 00:43:26,840 --> 00:43:29,709 - Well, we've got another one of our teenagers up next, 1093 00:43:29,743 --> 00:43:32,812 budding superstar Josiah Pippel. 1094 00:43:32,846 --> 00:43:34,481 This 16-year-old from New Jersey 1095 00:43:34,514 --> 00:43:36,282 amazed us last year. 1096 00:43:36,316 --> 00:43:37,917 He hit three buzzers. 1097 00:43:37,951 --> 00:43:40,153 But turns out, Ninja's not the only thing 1098 00:43:40,186 --> 00:43:42,188 he's a natural at. 1099 00:43:42,222 --> 00:43:45,191 [upbeat rock music] 1100 00:43:45,225 --> 00:43:47,093 * * 1101 00:43:47,093 --> 00:43:49,929 Josiah Pippel! 1102 00:43:49,963 --> 00:43:53,767 Yes! Are you kidding me? 1103 00:43:53,800 --> 00:43:56,236 - I love Ninja so much, obviously. 1104 00:43:58,138 --> 00:44:00,040 But I have started to pick up new hobbies. 1105 00:44:02,942 --> 00:44:04,044 Like racing... 1106 00:44:06,479 --> 00:44:08,314 Woodworking, 1107 00:44:08,348 --> 00:44:09,883 and after my fall last season... 1108 00:44:09,916 --> 00:44:11,418 - Blind grab, blind grab. 1109 00:44:11,451 --> 00:44:13,853 both: Oh! 1110 00:44:13,887 --> 00:44:16,056 - I knew I needed to work on my hand-eye coordination, 1111 00:44:16,056 --> 00:44:17,691 so this year, I actually learned piano. 1112 00:44:17,724 --> 00:44:20,694 [Pachelbel's "Canon in D"] 1113 00:44:20,727 --> 00:44:22,595 * * 1114 00:44:22,629 --> 00:44:25,098 But obviously, with piano, there's all the keys, 1115 00:44:25,131 --> 00:44:26,833 and some of the keys are very small. 1116 00:44:26,866 --> 00:44:30,203 But also, I cannot read music. 1117 00:44:32,839 --> 00:44:34,507 I would just, like, feel it out, what it sounds like. 1118 00:44:34,541 --> 00:44:36,076 I'll just go through the whole thing, and then 1119 00:44:36,076 --> 00:44:37,677 hit the next key and be like, oh, that doesn't sound right. 1120 00:44:37,711 --> 00:44:39,212 Do it again, hit a different key. 1121 00:44:41,081 --> 00:44:43,583 - He's totally self-motivated, always trying to learn 1122 00:44:43,616 --> 00:44:46,219 something new, always trying to conquer something, 1123 00:44:46,252 --> 00:44:49,489 always trying to master a new song. 1124 00:44:49,522 --> 00:44:52,992 It's pretty impressive for a 16-year-old. 1125 00:44:53,093 --> 00:44:55,195 - All these hobbies are something that is helping me 1126 00:44:55,228 --> 00:44:58,398 in some way in Ninja because the end goal is to be 1127 00:44:58,431 --> 00:45:00,233 racing on stage four for the million dollars. 1128 00:45:00,266 --> 00:45:03,670 - * The best is yet to come * 1129 00:45:05,205 --> 00:45:07,907 - This kid's got all kinds of talent. 1130 00:45:07,941 --> 00:45:11,578 There's Mom and siblings back in New Jersey. 1131 00:45:11,611 --> 00:45:13,813 Josiah's dad on the sidelines 1132 00:45:13,847 --> 00:45:16,216 along with training partner Najee Richardson, 1133 00:45:16,249 --> 00:45:17,550 who ran earlier. 1134 00:45:17,584 --> 00:45:20,520 [countdown clock beeping] 1135 00:45:20,553 --> 00:45:23,857 The sky's the limit for Josiah Pippel. 1136 00:45:23,890 --> 00:45:25,792 - Nice. - 6 foot and 150. 1137 00:45:25,825 --> 00:45:28,495 We met him on "Ninja Junior." Blew us away. 1138 00:45:28,528 --> 00:45:31,464 And he's gotten bigger, stronger, and better. 1139 00:45:31,498 --> 00:45:32,832 - And richer, Matt. 1140 00:45:32,866 --> 00:45:34,701 He got that 10 grand from taking down 1141 00:45:34,734 --> 00:45:36,536 the Mega Wall in qualifying. 1142 00:45:36,569 --> 00:45:39,406 Just amazing, going into junior year. 1143 00:45:39,439 --> 00:45:41,207 - Yeah, that's just crazy to me. 1144 00:45:41,241 --> 00:45:44,944 Junior year in high school. Come on, man. 1145 00:45:44,978 --> 00:45:47,981 - Wasting no time getting on to Air Surfer. 1146 00:45:48,081 --> 00:45:50,884 Really is amazing seeing this young man 1147 00:45:50,917 --> 00:45:52,986 grow up before our eyes. 1148 00:45:53,086 --> 00:45:54,320 - Ooh, nice. 1149 00:45:54,354 --> 00:45:56,189 - Great moves, linking it together. 1150 00:45:56,222 --> 00:45:58,091 Wow! 1151 00:45:58,091 --> 00:46:00,026 - First person we've seen do that. 1152 00:46:00,026 --> 00:46:03,063 - Just a next-level move from the 16-year-old. 1153 00:46:03,096 --> 00:46:04,731 And he's going right into Spinning Bridge 1154 00:46:04,764 --> 00:46:07,801 and gets that too. 1155 00:46:07,834 --> 00:46:09,502 - He didn't spend a lot of time on Air Surfer, 1156 00:46:09,536 --> 00:46:11,538 and that should help him here on Kaleidoscope. 1157 00:46:11,571 --> 00:46:13,239 - Well, this guy loves speed, loves racing, 1158 00:46:13,273 --> 00:46:17,110 and he has the pedal to the metal here. 1159 00:46:17,143 --> 00:46:18,611 - But this is the obstacle that's 1160 00:46:18,645 --> 00:46:22,148 put the brakes on so many runs already. 1161 00:46:22,182 --> 00:46:24,651 - Here's where that piano playing comes in handy. 1162 00:46:24,684 --> 00:46:27,253 Fingers are very important on this obstacle. 1163 00:46:27,287 --> 00:46:29,055 - But at 6 feet, that long reach 1164 00:46:29,055 --> 00:46:31,558 is made a little easier with those long arms. 1165 00:46:31,591 --> 00:46:33,059 Great control. 1166 00:46:33,059 --> 00:46:34,527 - Yeah, and you can see him using them Ls. 1167 00:46:34,561 --> 00:46:38,465 - A 1/4-inch ledge now to catch himself. 1168 00:46:38,498 --> 00:46:41,067 - Nice. - No problem. 1169 00:46:41,067 --> 00:46:43,069 Pippel is flying. 1170 00:46:43,103 --> 00:46:45,071 - Boy, Pippel can propel himself 1171 00:46:45,071 --> 00:46:47,841 all the way to the top like he did last year. 1172 00:46:47,874 --> 00:46:50,877 [cheers and applause] 1173 00:46:50,910 --> 00:46:52,879 - He's got to be thinking about the Power Tower. 1174 00:46:52,912 --> 00:46:55,115 Got there last year but lost his race 1175 00:46:55,148 --> 00:46:56,549 to Vance Walker, 1176 00:46:56,583 --> 00:46:59,185 so he didn't have a Safety Pass in Vegas. 1177 00:46:59,219 --> 00:47:01,654 - You got it, buddy! - Whoo! 1178 00:47:01,688 --> 00:47:03,356 - Yeah, a Safety Pass could have saved him 1179 00:47:03,390 --> 00:47:05,291 when he fell on stage two. 1180 00:47:05,325 --> 00:47:08,161 - Come on. Let's go, Josiah. 1181 00:47:08,194 --> 00:47:09,462 - Right now, gotta focus on 1182 00:47:09,496 --> 00:47:11,398 getting past the Salmon Ladder. 1183 00:47:12,699 --> 00:47:13,900 - Nice. 1184 00:47:13,933 --> 00:47:15,201 - And again, what we're seeing is, 1185 00:47:15,235 --> 00:47:17,070 he's so efficient on these obstacles. 1186 00:47:17,103 --> 00:47:19,139 His shirt says, "Sometimes you've just 1187 00:47:19,172 --> 00:47:21,241 gotta lick the stamp and send it." 1188 00:47:21,274 --> 00:47:22,642 That's his style. 1189 00:47:22,676 --> 00:47:25,311 - He definitely did that back on Air Surfer. 1190 00:47:25,345 --> 00:47:27,914 Don't think he's gonna try that move here on Ghost Town. 1191 00:47:27,947 --> 00:47:30,784 This is where his buddy Najee fell just minutes ago. 1192 00:47:30,817 --> 00:47:32,752 Easy to make a mistake here. 1193 00:47:32,786 --> 00:47:34,421 - Yeah, and the moving apparatus makes it 1194 00:47:34,454 --> 00:47:36,790 a little bit more challenging. That adds to the difficulty. 1195 00:47:36,823 --> 00:47:38,725 But these ninjas are so prepared. 1196 00:47:38,758 --> 00:47:40,193 Big ups, right there. 1197 00:47:40,226 --> 00:47:43,663 - Up 18 inches. No problem for Pippel. 1198 00:47:43,697 --> 00:47:45,131 Just needs the dismount. 1199 00:47:48,068 --> 00:47:49,302 And he's through. 1200 00:47:49,336 --> 00:47:50,337 [cheers and applause] 1201 00:47:50,370 --> 00:47:51,938 - Let's go! 1202 00:47:51,971 --> 00:47:53,573 - Split Decision. 1203 00:47:53,606 --> 00:47:55,075 - He's going Dragonback. 1204 00:47:55,075 --> 00:47:56,643 - I'll bet he slays the dragon. 1205 00:47:56,676 --> 00:47:58,244 - It's just a bar. Let's go. 1206 00:47:58,278 --> 00:48:00,547 - We saw Dragonback end so many runs 1207 00:48:00,580 --> 00:48:02,582 when it made its debut in St. Louis. 1208 00:48:02,615 --> 00:48:06,019 And no one's made it past this obstacle tonight. 1209 00:48:06,019 --> 00:48:08,922 - Easy. Nice. - Good slide down. 1210 00:48:10,724 --> 00:48:12,492 - Got a buzzer last year in semis, 1211 00:48:12,525 --> 00:48:14,527 and getting very close to another one. 1212 00:48:14,561 --> 00:48:16,696 - Pippel using that bar like it's a sword. 1213 00:48:16,730 --> 00:48:18,231 He wants to slay the dragon. 1214 00:48:18,264 --> 00:48:20,400 And he did. - Oh, my goodness! 1215 00:48:20,433 --> 00:48:23,303 This kid is impressive! 1216 00:48:23,336 --> 00:48:24,504 - Come on! You got this! 1217 00:48:24,537 --> 00:48:26,206 - And he's not slowing down, 1218 00:48:26,239 --> 00:48:29,042 goes right into the chute to start the Spider Trap. 1219 00:48:29,042 --> 00:48:32,045 Well, no one had gotten past Dragonback all night, 1220 00:48:32,045 --> 00:48:35,882 and this 16-year-old just made it look easy. 1221 00:48:35,915 --> 00:48:39,052 - Ooh, Matt, he's right there. He's 20 feet up right now. 1222 00:48:39,085 --> 00:48:42,422 - Each set of these doors is 100 pounds, 1223 00:48:42,455 --> 00:48:44,624 but Josiah Pippel still has enough left 1224 00:48:44,657 --> 00:48:46,292 to power through them. 1225 00:48:46,326 --> 00:48:49,062 And the teenager who taught himself to play piano 1226 00:48:49,062 --> 00:48:52,799 has given us a virtuoso performance. 1227 00:48:52,832 --> 00:48:56,836 - Uh-oh, uh-oh. Get it! - Josiah Pippel does it again! 1228 00:48:56,870 --> 00:48:59,072 - He is gassed. 1229 00:48:59,072 --> 00:49:01,041 [cheers and applause] 1230 00:49:01,074 --> 00:49:02,742 [chuckles] Matt, that's what I call 1231 00:49:02,776 --> 00:49:04,411 leaving it all out on the course. 1232 00:49:04,444 --> 00:49:07,414 [upbeat music] 1233 00:49:07,447 --> 00:49:09,015 He has nothing left. 1234 00:49:09,015 --> 00:49:10,684 He could barely hit the buzzer. 1235 00:49:10,717 --> 00:49:13,019 And he's just laying right out. 1236 00:49:13,019 --> 00:49:15,221 - [laughing] 1237 00:49:15,255 --> 00:49:17,791 - We knew this run was gonna be special 1238 00:49:17,824 --> 00:49:20,493 when he flew through Air Surfer without a break. 1239 00:49:20,527 --> 00:49:23,196 Then he was the first to conquer Dragonback 1240 00:49:23,229 --> 00:49:24,864 and climb to the buzzer. 1241 00:49:24,898 --> 00:49:26,766 And we could see him on the Power Tower 1242 00:49:26,800 --> 00:49:28,702 later tonight. 1243 00:49:28,735 --> 00:49:30,236 - Josiah! 1244 00:49:30,270 --> 00:49:32,806 Man, you made that look easy. 1245 00:49:32,839 --> 00:49:35,108 Last year, it was just one obstacle away 1246 00:49:35,141 --> 00:49:36,776 from making it to stage three. 1247 00:49:36,810 --> 00:49:39,946 How far can you go this year? - Stage five. 1248 00:49:40,046 --> 00:49:41,214 - Stage--we don't even have it! 1249 00:49:41,247 --> 00:49:43,049 That's how far he's going. 1250 00:49:43,049 --> 00:49:45,218 - Hey, he's going to the moon. 1251 00:49:45,251 --> 00:49:48,054 - Yahoo! 1252 00:49:48,088 --> 00:49:50,690 - Coming up, it was an epic race 1253 00:49:50,724 --> 00:49:52,759 between teacher and student. 1254 00:49:52,792 --> 00:49:55,362 Will Joe Moravsky and Jay "Lache" Lewis 1255 00:49:55,395 --> 00:49:58,064 have a rematch on the Power Tower tonight? 1256 00:49:58,098 --> 00:50:00,967 And Joe Moravsky does it! 1257 00:50:01,001 --> 00:50:05,138 We'll find out soon on "American Ninja Warrior." 1258 00:50:09,576 --> 00:50:11,478 - Welcome back to "American Ninja Warrior" 1259 00:50:11,511 --> 00:50:13,580 at Universal Studios Hollywood, 1260 00:50:13,613 --> 00:50:16,282 where you can soar over Hogwarts Castle, 1261 00:50:16,316 --> 00:50:18,151 journey into Jurassic World, 1262 00:50:18,184 --> 00:50:19,986 or let loose on Illumination's 1263 00:50:20,020 --> 00:50:22,555 The Secret Life of Pets Off the Leash. 1264 00:50:22,589 --> 00:50:25,825 - And let's not forget the world famous studio tour, 1265 00:50:25,859 --> 00:50:27,527 where you'll go behind the scenes 1266 00:50:27,560 --> 00:50:31,831 on your favorite film sets. Make it your best day in LA. 1267 00:50:31,865 --> 00:50:34,467 - And moments ago, Florida's Jay Flores 1268 00:50:34,501 --> 00:50:36,636 showed off some wizardry of his own, 1269 00:50:36,670 --> 00:50:39,339 having liquids magically change colors. 1270 00:50:39,372 --> 00:50:42,308 - What the what? Wow. 1271 00:50:42,342 --> 00:50:44,210 - The 32-year-old hosts a science show 1272 00:50:44,244 --> 00:50:46,713 on YouTube with crazy experiments 1273 00:50:46,746 --> 00:50:49,182 and has millions of views. 1274 00:50:49,215 --> 00:50:50,784 - Nice! - Let's go, Jay! 1275 00:50:50,817 --> 00:50:52,218 - And the Ninja rookie pulled off 1276 00:50:52,252 --> 00:50:54,688 some impressive tricks on the course. 1277 00:50:54,721 --> 00:50:57,290 - Oh! He lost his grip. 1278 00:50:57,323 --> 00:51:00,226 Oh, my goodness. What a save. 1279 00:51:00,260 --> 00:51:03,129 - But seconds later, gravity caught up to him. 1280 00:51:03,163 --> 00:51:05,432 - Science, technology, engineering, math 1281 00:51:05,465 --> 00:51:07,634 cannot save him on this one. - No. 1282 00:51:07,667 --> 00:51:10,103 And Zuri had some questions. 1283 00:51:10,136 --> 00:51:11,504 - So what happened at the start line? 1284 00:51:11,538 --> 00:51:13,907 That was some magic. I'm very impressed. 1285 00:51:13,940 --> 00:51:16,076 - It's not magic, it's science. 1286 00:51:16,076 --> 00:51:20,413 - Then it was Sophia Lavallee, known as the Wandering Ninja. 1287 00:51:20,447 --> 00:51:24,617 She's traveled to 25 countries, and she's only 17. 1288 00:51:24,651 --> 00:51:26,319 - Sophia Lavallee knows how to handle 1289 00:51:26,353 --> 00:51:28,421 the peaks and valleys of "Ninja Warrior." 1290 00:51:28,455 --> 00:51:30,724 - The Massachusetts teenager was the top woman 1291 00:51:30,757 --> 00:51:32,392 in her night of qualifying. 1292 00:51:32,425 --> 00:51:33,993 - Nice. 1293 00:51:34,094 --> 00:51:35,662 - Yeah, baby! 1294 00:51:35,695 --> 00:51:37,163 - But for the second year in a row, 1295 00:51:37,197 --> 00:51:39,265 she struggled in semifinals, 1296 00:51:39,299 --> 00:51:41,167 going out on the third obstacle. 1297 00:51:41,201 --> 00:51:43,370 - Big lache! Ooh! 1298 00:51:43,403 --> 00:51:45,372 - [groans] 1299 00:51:45,405 --> 00:51:49,442 - I undershot it. That was upsetting. 1300 00:51:49,476 --> 00:51:52,946 - Our next athlete always electrifies the crowd. 1301 00:51:52,979 --> 00:51:55,415 He's one of the most energetic ninjas. 1302 00:51:55,448 --> 00:51:58,184 Four-time veteran Anthony Eardley. 1303 00:51:58,218 --> 00:52:00,787 He's a welder, and Ninja fans love him. 1304 00:52:00,820 --> 00:52:02,689 [cheers and applause] 1305 00:52:02,722 --> 00:52:04,190 - Get ready! Get pumped! 1306 00:52:04,224 --> 00:52:06,226 This is what we do! This is what we do! 1307 00:52:06,259 --> 00:52:08,661 - No one gets pumped up the way he does. 1308 00:52:08,695 --> 00:52:10,363 And that passion and positivity 1309 00:52:10,397 --> 00:52:13,233 comes from his very unique family. 1310 00:52:13,266 --> 00:52:17,070 [peaceful music] 1311 00:52:17,103 --> 00:52:18,438 - Come and get your food. 1312 00:52:18,471 --> 00:52:20,874 It's ready. Ooh! 1313 00:52:20,907 --> 00:52:23,543 Get it while it's hot. Cheers. 1314 00:52:23,576 --> 00:52:25,478 What was the last time we've done this? Seriously. 1315 00:52:25,512 --> 00:52:28,081 - I was just gonna say, isn't it so nice 1316 00:52:28,081 --> 00:52:30,750 to have just about everybody together? 1317 00:52:30,784 --> 00:52:34,754 - I come from a very diverse and multicultural family. 1318 00:52:34,788 --> 00:52:38,725 I was adopted at two days old. And I am number two of seven. 1319 00:52:40,794 --> 00:52:44,764 My siblings range from 33 down to the tender age of 2. 1320 00:52:44,798 --> 00:52:48,234 Let's go! Whoa! - Whoo! 1321 00:52:48,268 --> 00:52:51,137 - We just adopted baby Andrew. 1322 00:52:51,171 --> 00:52:54,107 - Hold on tight. Whoa! - Whoa. 1323 00:52:54,140 --> 00:52:57,177 - It's just reminding me how much of a kid I still am. 1324 00:52:57,210 --> 00:52:58,378 [laughs] 1325 00:52:58,411 --> 00:53:00,413 I have been-- - Hey. 1326 00:53:00,447 --> 00:53:04,784 - Two more. Oh, miss. [laughs] 1327 00:53:04,818 --> 00:53:07,654 He looks at me like I'm a superhero. 1328 00:53:07,687 --> 00:53:11,057 And I have that responsibility for him to realize 1329 00:53:11,091 --> 00:53:14,127 how much of a superhero he can be himself. 1330 00:53:14,160 --> 00:53:17,530 Whoa! - Daddy, I won! 1331 00:53:20,333 --> 00:53:23,803 - I don't think I could do anything without my family. 1332 00:53:23,837 --> 00:53:27,407 - Can I get a super hug? Give me a super hug. 1333 00:53:27,440 --> 00:53:29,609 - Which is why I'm striving so hard 1334 00:53:29,642 --> 00:53:33,613 to show them how much they mean. 1335 00:53:33,646 --> 00:53:36,082 all: Go! Beat it! - Yeah! 1336 00:53:36,082 --> 00:53:40,120 [all cheering] 1337 00:53:40,153 --> 00:53:41,855 - Ah, you can just see how emotional 1338 00:53:41,888 --> 00:53:44,724 Anthony Eardley gets when he talks about his family. 1339 00:53:44,758 --> 00:53:47,727 And of course, they're watching back home in Oneonta. 1340 00:53:47,761 --> 00:53:50,330 [countdown clock beeping] 1341 00:53:50,363 --> 00:53:52,732 Anthony Eardley, 5'10", 155. 1342 00:53:52,766 --> 00:53:55,135 He is electrifying. - Yes, he is. 1343 00:53:55,168 --> 00:53:56,536 - It's because of that singlet. 1344 00:53:56,569 --> 00:53:58,171 - And he just needs to channel that energy 1345 00:53:58,204 --> 00:54:00,840 from the start line and use it on the course. 1346 00:54:00,874 --> 00:54:04,077 - Well, veterans know it's hard to hit a buzzer. 1347 00:54:04,110 --> 00:54:07,947 So you want to go as far, as fast as you can. 1348 00:54:08,048 --> 00:54:11,418 Only the top 15 will move on to the National Finals. 1349 00:54:11,451 --> 00:54:13,053 Right now, it looks like you have to get 1350 00:54:13,053 --> 00:54:15,321 to that eighth obstacle quickly to have any chance. 1351 00:54:15,355 --> 00:54:19,259 - Anthony Eardley knows, Eardley bird gets the worm. 1352 00:54:19,292 --> 00:54:22,228 - Feel it out. Feel it out. - He has been consistent. 1353 00:54:22,262 --> 00:54:24,631 Made it to the semis three of the four years 1354 00:54:24,664 --> 00:54:28,368 he's been here, but he's never made it to Vegas. 1355 00:54:28,401 --> 00:54:30,203 Now taking on Air Surfer. 1356 00:54:30,236 --> 00:54:31,971 - Yes. Yes, indeed. 1357 00:54:32,072 --> 00:54:34,174 And you see he took a pause to measure it. 1358 00:54:34,207 --> 00:54:36,876 He wants to see it, make sure he got the calculation right. 1359 00:54:36,910 --> 00:54:38,912 - Okay, wow. - Ooh. 1360 00:54:38,945 --> 00:54:42,248 - Looking real solid. Long throw. And he's safe. 1361 00:54:42,282 --> 00:54:44,084 [cheers and applause] 1362 00:54:44,117 --> 00:54:45,285 - Yeah, the crowd's digging it. 1363 00:54:45,318 --> 00:54:46,753 They're digging it, Matt. 1364 00:54:46,786 --> 00:54:48,621 - Now facing Spinning Bridge. 1365 00:54:48,655 --> 00:54:51,391 One missed foot, and your season is over. 1366 00:54:51,424 --> 00:54:53,526 - Nice. Great footwork. 1367 00:54:53,560 --> 00:54:56,629 [cheers and applause] 1368 00:54:56,663 --> 00:54:58,198 - The fifth obstacle, Kaleidoscope, 1369 00:54:58,231 --> 00:55:00,533 has been a tough one tonight. 1370 00:55:00,567 --> 00:55:03,336 Ended the runs of a handful of ninjas already. 1371 00:55:03,370 --> 00:55:05,872 - Come on, efficient, efficient, yes, sir. 1372 00:55:05,905 --> 00:55:08,375 - Good power out of Eardley. 1373 00:55:08,408 --> 00:55:10,477 Really controlling those windows. 1374 00:55:10,510 --> 00:55:11,611 - There you go, Matt. 1375 00:55:11,644 --> 00:55:13,513 As he progresses through Kaleidoscope, 1376 00:55:13,546 --> 00:55:17,250 the handles go from 3/4 of an inch to a 1/4 inch. 1377 00:55:17,283 --> 00:55:20,053 - And that one really tests the fingertips. 1378 00:55:20,086 --> 00:55:21,388 - Especially as you start to turn them. 1379 00:55:21,421 --> 00:55:22,856 - And watch on these rotations. - Oh, boy. 1380 00:55:22,889 --> 00:55:25,725 - You could see, you got to grab on the opposite end, 1381 00:55:25,759 --> 00:55:28,395 that high part of the curve as it rotates down. 1382 00:55:28,428 --> 00:55:29,929 - No pain, no gain. 1383 00:55:29,963 --> 00:55:32,966 - On now to just a 1/4-inch ledge. 1384 00:55:33,066 --> 00:55:36,136 - Don't think about it. Don't think about it. 1385 00:55:36,169 --> 00:55:38,071 - I think he's having trouble building up the momentum. 1386 00:55:38,104 --> 00:55:39,873 There he goes for it. Got it! - Nice. 1387 00:55:39,906 --> 00:55:42,208 I love how he calmed himself down 1388 00:55:42,242 --> 00:55:45,845 as you start to feel the buildup and the pain. 1389 00:55:45,879 --> 00:55:48,314 - Let's go! - And he is pumped! 1390 00:55:48,348 --> 00:55:52,152 [cheers and applause] 1391 00:55:52,185 --> 00:55:54,487 - Ah! - I love it. 1392 00:55:54,521 --> 00:55:56,189 - The man is putting on a show. 1393 00:55:56,222 --> 00:55:58,625 Just electrifying. - I don't hear nothing. 1394 00:55:58,658 --> 00:56:00,260 all: [chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1395 00:56:00,293 --> 00:56:02,028 - And now he's calling out the crowd, 1396 00:56:02,028 --> 00:56:03,797 Akbar, he's cutting a promo! 1397 00:56:03,830 --> 00:56:06,466 - He wants that cheer. Beat that wall. 1398 00:56:06,499 --> 00:56:09,235 all: [chanting] Beat that wall! Beat that wall! 1399 00:56:09,269 --> 00:56:11,671 - And he is feeding off that energy. 1400 00:56:11,705 --> 00:56:15,041 He's headed to the back half. Enjoying the spotlight. 1401 00:56:15,041 --> 00:56:17,243 - All right. - Now I can see you better. 1402 00:56:17,277 --> 00:56:19,212 - All right, light it up. 1403 00:56:19,245 --> 00:56:21,715 - Now last season, Eardley got to this point 1404 00:56:21,748 --> 00:56:24,050 and only had to complete the Salmon Ladder 1405 00:56:24,050 --> 00:56:25,819 to earn his first trip to Vegas, 1406 00:56:25,852 --> 00:56:29,422 but fell, and it has haunted him. 1407 00:56:29,456 --> 00:56:31,358 - You know he's not tryna fall 1408 00:56:31,391 --> 00:56:33,626 two years in a row on Salmon Ladder. 1409 00:56:33,660 --> 00:56:35,128 Nice. All right. 1410 00:56:35,161 --> 00:56:36,863 - Let's see what he learned. 1411 00:56:36,896 --> 00:56:39,199 - One, 1412 00:56:39,232 --> 00:56:41,067 two, 1413 00:56:41,067 --> 00:56:42,669 three, 1414 00:56:42,702 --> 00:56:43,770 four. 1415 00:56:43,803 --> 00:56:45,138 You don't own me anymore. 1416 00:56:45,171 --> 00:56:46,673 - He gets his revenge. 1417 00:56:46,706 --> 00:56:48,842 [cheers and applause] 1418 00:56:48,875 --> 00:56:51,911 - This is what we do! - He says this is what we do. 1419 00:56:51,945 --> 00:56:54,080 - And he's made it to the eighth obstacle, 1420 00:56:54,080 --> 00:56:56,549 Ghost Town. 1421 00:56:56,583 --> 00:56:59,486 You can see the eyelashes on the ghosts there. 1422 00:56:59,519 --> 00:57:01,821 And you can just see these counter-weighted cradles. 1423 00:57:01,855 --> 00:57:03,156 - Nice. 1424 00:57:03,189 --> 00:57:04,657 - Little more difficult to get them to move. 1425 00:57:04,691 --> 00:57:08,028 It's like they're in molasses. - Matt, he's charged up. 1426 00:57:08,061 --> 00:57:10,530 - But it's 18 inches up on this third move. 1427 00:57:10,563 --> 00:57:12,198 - Not enough power, though. 1428 00:57:12,232 --> 00:57:14,134 Oh, excuse me! 1429 00:57:14,167 --> 00:57:15,535 Excuse me! 1430 00:57:19,039 --> 00:57:22,642 - And look at this, Eardley at the ninth obstacle. 1431 00:57:24,811 --> 00:57:26,346 - He is feeling himself. 1432 00:57:26,379 --> 00:57:29,649 He is feeling himself. - And now Split Decision. 1433 00:57:29,683 --> 00:57:31,217 And this is the challenge, 1434 00:57:31,251 --> 00:57:32,752 Dragonback, or he can try 1435 00:57:32,786 --> 00:57:34,487 the balance obstacle, Spin Zone. 1436 00:57:34,521 --> 00:57:37,057 But only two have tried it so far, 1437 00:57:37,057 --> 00:57:40,060 and Flip Rodriguez is the only one who survived. 1438 00:57:40,060 --> 00:57:42,562 - Go ahead, man. Take your shot at Spin Zone. 1439 00:57:42,595 --> 00:57:44,531 He's feeling himself. 1440 00:57:44,564 --> 00:57:46,066 - No, he's not. 1441 00:57:46,066 --> 00:57:47,967 - I got to do it. I got to do it. 1442 00:57:48,068 --> 00:57:49,069 - You got it! 1443 00:57:50,737 --> 00:57:52,205 - Going with Dragonback. 1444 00:57:52,238 --> 00:57:54,074 But this one's not easy, either. 1445 00:57:54,074 --> 00:57:58,211 Only one ninja, Josiah Pippel, has made it past it so far. 1446 00:57:58,244 --> 00:58:00,680 Got to control this bar. 1447 00:58:00,714 --> 00:58:02,282 And a long drop here. 1448 00:58:02,315 --> 00:58:04,317 - No! 1449 00:58:04,351 --> 00:58:06,786 - He slides off on Dragonback, 1450 00:58:06,820 --> 00:58:10,457 but still the best run of Anthony Eardley's career, 1451 00:58:10,490 --> 00:58:13,026 and he gave these fans a show. 1452 00:58:13,026 --> 00:58:14,394 - Much love. 1453 00:58:14,427 --> 00:58:16,730 - Right from the start, Eardley brought the energy 1454 00:58:16,763 --> 00:58:19,632 and got the crowd into it as he muscled his way 1455 00:58:19,666 --> 00:58:22,035 to the ninth obstacle, enough to earn him 1456 00:58:22,068 --> 00:58:24,738 his first trip to the National Finals. 1457 00:58:24,771 --> 00:58:26,906 - And Zuri's gonna give him the good news. 1458 00:58:26,940 --> 00:58:28,208 - Anthony, you know, 1459 00:58:28,241 --> 00:58:30,110 you've never been to a National Finals before. 1460 00:58:30,143 --> 00:58:32,245 What would it mean to you to make it to Vegas? 1461 00:58:32,278 --> 00:58:35,415 - Listen, that Salmon Ladder took me out last year. 1462 00:58:35,448 --> 00:58:37,484 That was the greatest I ever felt. 1463 00:58:37,517 --> 00:58:39,419 And it was good to come back here and, like, 1464 00:58:39,452 --> 00:58:40,520 just never take that offseason off. 1465 00:58:40,553 --> 00:58:41,821 Here we is. 1466 00:58:41,855 --> 00:58:43,690 - Well, we need these to be happy tears 1467 00:58:43,723 --> 00:58:45,191 because I've got good news. 1468 00:58:45,225 --> 00:58:46,526 You're headed to Vegas. 1469 00:58:46,559 --> 00:58:49,496 You're gonna to the National Finals. 1470 00:58:49,529 --> 00:58:51,698 Congratulations, Anthony. 1471 00:58:51,731 --> 00:58:54,768 [cheers and applause] 1472 00:59:02,075 --> 00:59:03,543 - While we were away, 1473 00:59:03,576 --> 00:59:06,312 two of our East Coasters took their shot at the course. 1474 00:59:06,346 --> 00:59:08,615 Many think Pennsylvania's Matt Bradley 1475 00:59:08,648 --> 00:59:10,216 has the skills to win it all. 1476 00:59:10,250 --> 00:59:11,551 - We know he can fly. 1477 00:59:11,584 --> 00:59:13,453 - The 20-year-old is well known for building 1478 00:59:13,486 --> 00:59:15,855 many of our obstacles in his barn 1479 00:59:15,889 --> 00:59:18,858 so he can train on them, including the Air Surfer. 1480 00:59:18,892 --> 00:59:21,227 So he felt confident on the obstacle tonight 1481 00:59:21,261 --> 00:59:24,030 and tried to link the three laches in a row. 1482 00:59:24,030 --> 00:59:26,766 Oh, no! - Oh! 1483 00:59:26,800 --> 00:59:30,470 - I have that obstacle. I went for it. It went wrong. 1484 00:59:30,503 --> 00:59:33,039 - Then it was Jersey Girl Cara Mack, 1485 00:59:33,039 --> 00:59:34,674 who's made it to the semifinals 1486 00:59:34,708 --> 00:59:36,776 every year she's competed. 1487 00:59:36,810 --> 00:59:39,279 With the other Jersey Girlz cheering her on, 1488 00:59:39,312 --> 00:59:42,315 Mack marched through the early obstacles. 1489 00:59:42,349 --> 00:59:44,951 - Cara Mack is back, baby! 1490 00:59:45,051 --> 00:59:47,420 - She celebrated her sprint across the Spinning Bridge. 1491 00:59:47,454 --> 00:59:50,056 - Oh, oh! Okay! 1492 00:59:50,056 --> 00:59:52,258 - But to guarantee a spot in Vegas, 1493 00:59:52,292 --> 00:59:54,427 she needed to finish Kaleidoscope. 1494 00:59:54,461 --> 00:59:57,130 - Now, this is where it gets real, Matt. 1495 00:59:57,163 --> 00:59:59,466 Oh, my goodness. Body slam! 1496 00:59:59,499 --> 01:00:01,434 - Instead, she ended with maybe 1497 01:00:01,468 --> 01:00:03,336 the fall of the night. 1498 01:00:03,370 --> 01:00:05,472 - That was quite the ride. 1499 01:00:05,505 --> 01:00:07,640 - Cara's slower time to Kaleidoscope 1500 01:00:07,674 --> 01:00:09,909 means she is out of the top three. 1501 01:00:09,943 --> 01:00:11,644 Right now, Abby Clark is guaranteed 1502 01:00:11,678 --> 01:00:13,646 to move on, along with Addy Herman, 1503 01:00:13,680 --> 01:00:15,515 but Jordan Carr's on the bubble 1504 01:00:15,548 --> 01:00:17,851 with one more woman to run. 1505 01:00:17,884 --> 01:00:19,552 And that final woman is another one 1506 01:00:19,586 --> 01:00:22,622 of the Jersey Girlz, Rachel Degutz. 1507 01:00:22,655 --> 01:00:23,923 This 23-year-old is now 1508 01:00:23,957 --> 01:00:26,026 a full-time middle school science teacher, 1509 01:00:26,059 --> 01:00:28,695 and she's bringing Ninja to the classroom. 1510 01:00:30,864 --> 01:00:32,799 - Oh, yes! That's what I'm talking about! 1511 01:00:32,832 --> 01:00:34,134 - Whoo! 1512 01:00:34,167 --> 01:00:37,170 Last year's semifinals went pretty well. 1513 01:00:37,203 --> 01:00:39,005 - Only a small group of elite women 1514 01:00:39,039 --> 01:00:40,974 have ever made it to the back half. 1515 01:00:41,007 --> 01:00:43,143 - Oh! Wow! - Holds on! 1516 01:00:43,176 --> 01:00:45,712 And Degutz does it. 1517 01:00:45,745 --> 01:00:48,515 - This year, I'm even more prepared 1518 01:00:48,548 --> 01:00:51,351 because I started my first big girl job. 1519 01:00:51,384 --> 01:00:53,720 I'm teaching seventh and eighth grade science. 1520 01:00:56,890 --> 01:00:58,558 Good job. Good job. 1521 01:00:58,591 --> 01:01:02,128 It's really fun because I get to incorporate Ninja obstacles 1522 01:01:02,162 --> 01:01:05,965 into the physics concepts we're learning about. 1523 01:01:13,340 --> 01:01:16,676 all: Oh, no! 1524 01:01:16,710 --> 01:01:19,446 - It's a really fun and engaging way 1525 01:01:19,479 --> 01:01:21,548 to combine my two lives. 1526 01:01:21,581 --> 01:01:23,316 [kids cheering] 1527 01:01:23,350 --> 01:01:25,985 So here's my shout-out to all of my students 1528 01:01:26,086 --> 01:01:27,821 that have been begging for a shout-out. 1529 01:01:27,854 --> 01:01:28,822 I love you guys. 1530 01:01:28,855 --> 01:01:30,790 [all cheering] 1531 01:01:30,824 --> 01:01:32,692 I hope you're taking notes tonight 1532 01:01:32,726 --> 01:01:36,529 because I'm about to teach this course a lesson. 1533 01:01:37,931 --> 01:01:40,100 - And there's the shout-out to her students 1534 01:01:40,100 --> 01:01:42,902 from Riverfront Middle School, who gathered 1535 01:01:42,936 --> 01:01:44,904 for a special viewing party at the school. 1536 01:01:44,938 --> 01:01:47,374 - Whoo! 1537 01:01:47,407 --> 01:01:49,509 - And there's the real shout-out. 1538 01:01:49,542 --> 01:01:50,710 That's her scream. 1539 01:01:50,744 --> 01:01:52,846 She does that before every run. 1540 01:01:52,879 --> 01:01:55,248 - The other Jersey Girlz are on the sideline. 1541 01:01:55,281 --> 01:01:56,516 Matt Bradley is gonna be 1542 01:01:56,549 --> 01:01:58,885 an honorary member for this run. 1543 01:01:58,918 --> 01:02:01,454 [countdown clock beeping] - Let's go, Rachel. 1544 01:02:01,488 --> 01:02:03,556 - And Rachel knows what she needs to do. 1545 01:02:03,590 --> 01:02:05,625 That's the advantage of being the last woman. 1546 01:02:05,658 --> 01:02:07,627 - All she has to do is get 1547 01:02:07,660 --> 01:02:10,497 to Kaleidoscope faster than 1:31, 1548 01:02:10,530 --> 01:02:12,665 and she will go back to Vegas. 1549 01:02:12,699 --> 01:02:14,567 Just her second year, but she understands 1550 01:02:14,601 --> 01:02:15,802 pace is everything. 1551 01:02:15,835 --> 01:02:19,472 It is a race through Spinning Bridge. 1552 01:02:19,506 --> 01:02:20,940 Good power. 1553 01:02:20,974 --> 01:02:22,575 And you can see the pendulum there. 1554 01:02:22,609 --> 01:02:23,810 I'm sure she's gonna use that 1555 01:02:23,843 --> 01:02:25,545 in middle school science class. 1556 01:02:25,578 --> 01:02:27,147 - Ooh, nice. 1557 01:02:27,180 --> 01:02:29,883 If you got the guts, you get the glory. 1558 01:02:29,916 --> 01:02:31,818 - On now to Air Surfer. It can be a challenge. 1559 01:02:31,851 --> 01:02:35,922 5'3", 130. Kind of a short wingspan here. 1560 01:02:35,955 --> 01:02:39,292 This obstacle's knocked out some veteran ninjas tonight. 1561 01:02:39,325 --> 01:02:41,227 - All right, she teaches physical science. 1562 01:02:41,261 --> 01:02:43,363 This is some physical science right here. 1563 01:02:43,396 --> 01:02:44,631 - And you can see the focus, 1564 01:02:44,664 --> 01:02:46,599 checking both sides of the board. 1565 01:02:46,633 --> 01:02:47,734 Good precision. 1566 01:02:47,767 --> 01:02:50,503 Big lache. 1567 01:02:50,537 --> 01:02:51,971 - Nice. - Got it! 1568 01:02:52,005 --> 01:02:53,306 - Did you see how she reached up 1569 01:02:53,340 --> 01:02:54,941 to make sure she made that clear? 1570 01:02:54,974 --> 01:02:57,644 She was not about to break on the front edge. 1571 01:02:59,412 --> 01:03:01,481 Ooh, get out of there. 1572 01:03:01,514 --> 01:03:02,716 - Nice! - Got it! 1573 01:03:02,749 --> 01:03:05,685 [cheers and applause] 1574 01:03:05,719 --> 01:03:07,053 - The clock is ticking. 1575 01:03:07,053 --> 01:03:09,489 Just needs to get across Spinning Bridge. 1576 01:03:09,522 --> 01:03:10,757 Here we go. 1577 01:03:10,790 --> 01:03:12,859 Vegas on the line for Rachel Degutz. 1578 01:03:12,892 --> 01:03:14,527 - Go, stay on top, stay on top, stay on top. 1579 01:03:14,561 --> 01:03:16,062 - Got it! - Nice. 1580 01:03:16,062 --> 01:03:18,431 - Her second trip to the National Finals. 1581 01:03:18,465 --> 01:03:19,799 - If you don't think their students 1582 01:03:19,833 --> 01:03:23,436 are paying attention in class, yes, Ms. Degutz. 1583 01:03:23,470 --> 01:03:24,971 - Well, last year in the semifinals, 1584 01:03:25,071 --> 01:03:26,940 she made it to the ninth obstacle. 1585 01:03:26,973 --> 01:03:31,077 But Kaleidoscope has been so unforgiving tonight. 1586 01:03:31,077 --> 01:03:33,713 - All right, Rachel Degutz on Kaleidoscope. 1587 01:03:33,747 --> 01:03:35,081 Roll call. 1588 01:03:35,081 --> 01:03:36,916 She's taking names and kicking butt. 1589 01:03:36,950 --> 01:03:38,718 Come on. - Good lache. 1590 01:03:38,752 --> 01:03:41,287 No problem. - Come on, Degutz. 1591 01:03:41,321 --> 01:03:42,489 - Let's go. 1592 01:03:42,522 --> 01:03:44,324 - Let's go. Come on! - Come on, Rachel. 1593 01:03:44,357 --> 01:03:46,226 - And now let's see if that reach, 1594 01:03:46,259 --> 01:03:48,495 if she can get up to those handles. 1595 01:03:48,528 --> 01:03:49,929 - Big, high reach, Rachel. - Uh-oh. 1596 01:03:49,963 --> 01:03:51,464 Watch out, watch out here. - Wow. 1597 01:03:51,498 --> 01:03:53,433 - Watch out! - Oh, my goodness. 1598 01:03:53,466 --> 01:03:55,468 - Did you see how she just pulled up? 1599 01:03:55,502 --> 01:04:00,140 - The power out of Degutz. - I'm just watching. Come on. 1600 01:04:00,173 --> 01:04:01,708 Come on. 1601 01:04:01,741 --> 01:04:03,643 - On now to the 1/4 inch lip by that fourth window. 1602 01:04:03,677 --> 01:04:05,278 Does she have anything left? 1603 01:04:05,311 --> 01:04:07,147 - Matt, this is-- this is gonna be problematic. 1604 01:04:07,180 --> 01:04:09,082 You can see right there, the right hand. 1605 01:04:09,115 --> 01:04:10,483 The right hand is starting to give up, 1606 01:04:10,517 --> 01:04:11,818 but she's fighting through. 1607 01:04:11,851 --> 01:04:13,953 Come on. Show us what you got. Come on, Degutz. 1608 01:04:14,054 --> 01:04:15,889 - Oh, trying to watch herself! - Dig deep. 1609 01:04:15,922 --> 01:04:18,491 Dig deep! - Oh! 1610 01:04:18,525 --> 01:04:20,493 Flips out, but not before punching 1611 01:04:20,527 --> 01:04:22,762 her ticket back to Vegas. 1612 01:04:22,796 --> 01:04:26,499 - If you're gonna go out, go out in style. 1613 01:04:26,533 --> 01:04:28,401 - Her students are gonna have a lot of fun 1614 01:04:28,435 --> 01:04:30,970 watching this one over and over. 1615 01:04:31,071 --> 01:04:32,539 That's called a mean. 1616 01:04:32,572 --> 01:04:34,908 The science teacher learned a hard lesson in physics, 1617 01:04:34,941 --> 01:04:36,843 but she's moving on. 1618 01:04:36,876 --> 01:04:39,646 - And Zuri's gonna let her know. 1619 01:04:39,679 --> 01:04:41,147 - I've got good news. - What? 1620 01:04:41,181 --> 01:04:43,350 - You're headed to Vegas. - Really? 1621 01:04:43,383 --> 01:04:47,120 Ah! Ahh! 1622 01:04:47,153 --> 01:04:50,223 - Two of the three Jersey Girlz in Vegas? 1623 01:04:50,256 --> 01:04:51,624 It's about to be a party. 1624 01:04:51,658 --> 01:04:53,793 - Let's go! 1625 01:04:53,827 --> 01:04:57,097 - It's a Power Tower like you've never seen before. 1626 01:04:57,097 --> 01:04:59,232 We're gonna get our first look at it 1627 01:04:59,265 --> 01:05:02,769 when our two fastest race for the coveted Safety Pass 1628 01:05:02,802 --> 01:05:06,673 at the end of the night on "American Ninja Warrior." 1629 01:05:11,611 --> 01:05:13,413 - Music was ringing through New York Street 1630 01:05:13,446 --> 01:05:15,048 while we were away. [soft violin music] 1631 01:05:15,048 --> 01:05:17,650 First up was Boston's Guang Cui, 1632 01:05:17,684 --> 01:05:19,886 who showed off one of his many skills, 1633 01:05:19,919 --> 01:05:22,055 playing the violin. 1634 01:05:22,088 --> 01:05:24,057 [cheers and applause] 1635 01:05:24,057 --> 01:05:25,725 Guang's got a minor in music 1636 01:05:25,759 --> 01:05:28,762 but a major in computer science at MIT. 1637 01:05:28,795 --> 01:05:31,064 And he had his fellow students watching 1638 01:05:31,097 --> 01:05:33,366 as he mastered the first two obstacles. 1639 01:05:33,400 --> 01:05:34,901 - Come on, come on. Got it. 1640 01:05:34,934 --> 01:05:37,203 - Then the 21-year-old computer whiz 1641 01:05:37,237 --> 01:05:40,206 tried to calculate his moves through Air Surfer. 1642 01:05:40,240 --> 01:05:42,108 - Oh! 1643 01:05:42,142 --> 01:05:44,811 His calculation was off. 1644 01:05:44,844 --> 01:05:46,413 - Then the Hip Hop Ninja, 1645 01:05:46,446 --> 01:05:50,083 Jeremy Warters showed off his musical talent. 1646 01:05:50,083 --> 01:05:52,152 - * The games, I got Ninja in my veins * 1647 01:05:52,185 --> 01:05:54,888 * Get ready to see the games, ain't no stopping me today * 1648 01:05:54,921 --> 01:05:56,322 - Let's go! 1649 01:05:56,356 --> 01:05:58,925 - Warters is a rapper from Syracuse, New York, 1650 01:05:58,958 --> 01:06:02,028 who got a buzzer back in qualify. 1651 01:06:02,062 --> 01:06:04,764 And he had it flowing again tonight. 1652 01:06:04,798 --> 01:06:06,599 - Hip hop hooray. 1653 01:06:06,633 --> 01:06:10,103 - The 21-year-old rookie conquered Kaleidoscope. 1654 01:06:10,136 --> 01:06:11,938 [cheers and applause] 1655 01:06:12,038 --> 01:06:14,841 And got the extended play on the back half. 1656 01:06:14,874 --> 01:06:16,943 - OK, Jeremy. 1657 01:06:17,043 --> 01:06:18,678 - The rapper had no grip left 1658 01:06:18,712 --> 01:06:21,047 by the time he reached Ghost Town. 1659 01:06:21,047 --> 01:06:22,549 - Ooh. 1660 01:06:22,582 --> 01:06:25,719 - But Zuri got to tell him the party ain't over yet. 1661 01:06:25,752 --> 01:06:28,088 - I've got good news. You're headed to Vegas. 1662 01:06:28,121 --> 01:06:29,689 I'll see you in the National Finals. 1663 01:06:29,723 --> 01:06:31,725 Congratulations. 1664 01:06:31,758 --> 01:06:34,928 - Up next, one of Ninja's rising stars. 1665 01:06:34,961 --> 01:06:37,931 It's Connecticut's Jay "Lache" Lewis. 1666 01:06:37,964 --> 01:06:41,167 He just turned 18 and graduated from high school. 1667 01:06:41,201 --> 01:06:43,770 And tonight, he's ready to make a big announcement. 1668 01:06:47,107 --> 01:06:49,476 [upbeat music] 1669 01:06:49,509 --> 01:06:51,277 - So we're going to Quinnipiac first? 1670 01:06:51,311 --> 01:06:52,579 - Yeah, Quinnipiac, and then we're hitting 1671 01:06:52,612 --> 01:06:54,848 Fairfield after, right? - Oh, that'll be good. 1672 01:06:54,881 --> 01:06:56,983 - Like a lot of families in the last year of high school, 1673 01:06:57,083 --> 01:06:58,551 we've been doing a lot of campus visits. 1674 01:06:58,585 --> 01:06:59,919 - Hi, nice to meet you all. 1675 01:07:00,020 --> 01:07:01,254 Welcome to Quinnipiac. - Thank you. It's gorgeous. 1676 01:07:01,287 --> 01:07:02,455 - Thank you. - Appreciate it. 1677 01:07:02,489 --> 01:07:04,024 - What are you interested in school? 1678 01:07:04,057 --> 01:07:05,392 What are you looking for? 1679 01:07:06,793 --> 01:07:09,829 You'll be taking most of your classes in this building. 1680 01:07:09,863 --> 01:07:12,098 - * I've dreamed about this day * 1681 01:07:12,132 --> 01:07:13,667 - In a college, I want to make sure 1682 01:07:13,700 --> 01:07:15,235 that I'm still pretty close to home. 1683 01:07:15,268 --> 01:07:17,070 Obviously, a really good education. 1684 01:07:17,103 --> 01:07:18,571 And in general, I just want somewhere 1685 01:07:18,605 --> 01:07:19,939 where I feel like I fit in. 1686 01:07:20,040 --> 01:07:22,308 I applied to Quinnipiac, Fairfield, 1687 01:07:22,342 --> 01:07:26,046 University of Connecticut, Villanova, and Syracuse. 1688 01:07:26,046 --> 01:07:28,882 - You're in great hands. Welcome to our campus. 1689 01:07:28,915 --> 01:07:30,183 Enjoy. - Thank you. 1690 01:07:30,216 --> 01:07:32,118 - * This is gonna be my moment * 1691 01:07:32,152 --> 01:07:33,386 * Bound to touch the sky * 1692 01:07:33,420 --> 01:07:34,954 - Welcome to our library. 1693 01:07:35,055 --> 01:07:38,258 - * This just might be the best day of my life * 1694 01:07:38,291 --> 01:07:41,561 - It's pretty amazing watching Jay grow up. 1695 01:07:41,594 --> 01:07:43,763 We look back at old pictures of him competing 1696 01:07:43,797 --> 01:07:45,532 in Ninja competitions, and it really 1697 01:07:45,565 --> 01:07:47,367 has gone by very quickly. 1698 01:07:47,400 --> 01:07:49,169 - * The best day of my life * 1699 01:07:49,202 --> 01:07:50,970 - He's the new big man on campus. 1700 01:07:51,071 --> 01:07:52,539 - Let's go! 1701 01:07:52,572 --> 01:07:54,908 Ninja truly is the biggest thing in my life right now. 1702 01:07:54,941 --> 01:07:56,509 Something that was very important was 1703 01:07:56,543 --> 01:07:57,977 if there were any Ninja gyms nearby. 1704 01:07:58,078 --> 01:08:02,515 And I found a college that checks off all of those boxes. 1705 01:08:02,549 --> 01:08:04,117 If I'm able to complete this course tonight, 1706 01:08:04,150 --> 01:08:06,486 I will be announcing my decision for college 1707 01:08:06,519 --> 01:08:08,021 at the top of the Spider Trap. 1708 01:08:08,021 --> 01:08:12,359 * * 1709 01:08:12,392 --> 01:08:13,827 - You heard him. 1710 01:08:13,860 --> 01:08:15,762 He's going to announce his college choice tonight 1711 01:08:15,795 --> 01:08:17,130 if he hits a buzzer. 1712 01:08:17,163 --> 01:08:18,598 - He's putting pressure on himself. 1713 01:08:18,631 --> 01:08:20,100 - Ah, he loves pressure. 1714 01:08:20,133 --> 01:08:22,535 His dad and brother watching back in Connecticut. 1715 01:08:22,569 --> 01:08:25,205 Jay's mom and other Ninja friends on the sideline, 1716 01:08:25,238 --> 01:08:29,042 including training partner and mentor Joe Moravsky. 1717 01:08:29,042 --> 01:08:31,778 [countdown clock beeping] 1718 01:08:31,811 --> 01:08:35,648 Just an impressive young man. 5'4", 115. So strong. 1719 01:08:35,682 --> 01:08:38,685 - And Matt, expect Jay Lache to go for speed. 1720 01:08:38,718 --> 01:08:40,653 You know exactly what he wants. 1721 01:08:40,687 --> 01:08:42,922 He wants to get on that Power Tower. 1722 01:08:42,956 --> 01:08:45,358 - He made it there last year but lost out 1723 01:08:45,392 --> 01:08:46,960 to his friend, Joe Moravsky. 1724 01:08:47,060 --> 01:08:49,062 And Jay Lache could have used that Safety Pass 1725 01:08:49,062 --> 01:08:50,897 when he fell early on stage one. 1726 01:08:50,930 --> 01:08:53,800 He knows the value of a Safety Pass in Vegas. 1727 01:08:53,833 --> 01:08:56,736 [cheers and applause] 1728 01:08:56,770 --> 01:08:59,339 - And Joe's gonna be gunning for that Power Tower as well. 1729 01:08:59,372 --> 01:09:00,907 We could have a rematch. 1730 01:09:01,007 --> 01:09:04,611 - Again, Jay Lewis is only 5'4" and 115 pounds. 1731 01:09:04,644 --> 01:09:06,012 - I'ma go ahead and say that I don't think 1732 01:09:06,012 --> 01:09:07,380 Jay Lache can gas out. 1733 01:09:07,414 --> 01:09:08,848 If he makes a mistake tonight, 1734 01:09:08,882 --> 01:09:10,884 it's gonna be on a technical issue. 1735 01:09:10,917 --> 01:09:16,022 This kid is talented. - Such efficiency. 1736 01:09:16,022 --> 01:09:18,358 - Already at Spinning Bridge. 1737 01:09:20,694 --> 01:09:22,028 Look at that. Double thumbs up. 1738 01:09:22,028 --> 01:09:24,197 - Let's go, Jay! - Do it! 1739 01:09:24,230 --> 01:09:27,200 - On now to Kaleidoscope. A great pace to this point. 1740 01:09:27,233 --> 01:09:28,902 - But look at how he's keeping his Ls. 1741 01:09:28,935 --> 01:09:31,171 - Keeping his arms locked in the L position. 1742 01:09:31,204 --> 01:09:33,306 Bend them Ls right there. 1743 01:09:33,340 --> 01:09:35,475 - And we just see with these young ninjas, 1744 01:09:35,508 --> 01:09:37,444 this is why they're so good, 1745 01:09:37,477 --> 01:09:40,313 not just their motors but his approach. 1746 01:09:40,347 --> 01:09:41,648 He's got a veteran approach. 1747 01:09:41,681 --> 01:09:43,049 - Matt, are you watching what I'm watching? 1748 01:09:43,049 --> 01:09:44,718 He's not expending any energy. 1749 01:09:44,751 --> 01:09:46,920 Look at them Ls. Look at the technique. 1750 01:09:46,953 --> 01:09:48,521 - And long reaches there, 1751 01:09:48,555 --> 01:09:50,056 getting those hands in a great position. 1752 01:09:50,090 --> 01:09:52,359 - What the heck am I watching right now? 1753 01:09:52,392 --> 01:09:55,295 - 1/4 inch ledge, no problem. 1754 01:09:55,328 --> 01:10:01,768 Jay Lewis just annihilated those first five obstacles. 1755 01:10:01,801 --> 01:10:03,470 - Jay. 1756 01:10:03,503 --> 01:10:06,373 - He's busy, Akbar. 1757 01:10:06,406 --> 01:10:09,109 - Hey, are you even tired? 1758 01:10:09,142 --> 01:10:11,611 - He's too in the zone right now to even respond. 1759 01:10:11,644 --> 01:10:12,946 - Good run. Let's go! 1760 01:10:12,979 --> 01:10:14,514 - Come on, Jay! 1761 01:10:14,547 --> 01:10:16,216 - Whatever college gets him, they're gonna be thrilled 1762 01:10:16,249 --> 01:10:17,951 that he's bringing his talents there. 1763 01:10:17,984 --> 01:10:21,021 [cheers and applause] 1764 01:10:23,256 --> 01:10:26,192 On now to the back half of the course with Jay Lache. 1765 01:10:26,226 --> 01:10:27,761 As you said, it looks like he hasn't 1766 01:10:27,794 --> 01:10:29,195 even expended any energy. 1767 01:10:29,229 --> 01:10:30,630 He's looking strong. - Wow. 1768 01:10:30,663 --> 01:10:33,133 This is the best we've seen Jay Lache, Matt. 1769 01:10:33,166 --> 01:10:35,235 - Let's go. Go, go, go. - Here we go! 1770 01:10:37,570 --> 01:10:40,974 - And now grabbing hold of obstacle eight, Ghost Town. 1771 01:10:41,007 --> 01:10:42,409 Such a unique obstacle. 1772 01:10:42,442 --> 01:10:45,211 And Jay's looking up at those googly eyes. 1773 01:10:45,245 --> 01:10:47,547 - That ghost don't scare Jay Lache! 1774 01:10:47,580 --> 01:10:50,583 - But here's the big move, 18 inches up. 1775 01:10:52,452 --> 01:10:53,953 - Oh, boy! - He got it! 1776 01:10:53,987 --> 01:10:55,455 That was a challenge. 1777 01:10:55,488 --> 01:10:57,190 He's getting closer to a buzzer 1778 01:10:57,223 --> 01:10:59,059 and that college decision. 1779 01:10:59,092 --> 01:11:02,429 Right now, he's well ahead of Flip Rodriguez's pace, 1780 01:11:02,462 --> 01:11:04,564 and he has a chance to catch Josiah Pippel 1781 01:11:04,597 --> 01:11:06,066 for the fastest time. 1782 01:11:06,066 --> 01:11:08,234 - And look, he's going straight into Dragonback. 1783 01:11:08,268 --> 01:11:10,870 He ain't messing around with Spin Zone. 1784 01:11:10,904 --> 01:11:14,941 - Dragonback can eat up more time, though. 1785 01:11:14,974 --> 01:11:16,910 Now, this is such a technical obstacle, 1786 01:11:16,943 --> 01:11:18,144 keeping that bar straight. 1787 01:11:18,178 --> 01:11:19,913 We saw it in St. Louis end the runs 1788 01:11:19,946 --> 01:11:21,948 of many great ninjas. 1789 01:11:21,981 --> 01:11:23,516 - Ooh, this may be breathing that fire, man. 1790 01:11:23,550 --> 01:11:24,884 I don't know if he wants this smoke, man. 1791 01:11:24,918 --> 01:11:26,152 This one is hard. - Now it's a slide down. 1792 01:11:26,186 --> 01:11:27,654 Watch this slide. - Whoa! 1793 01:11:27,687 --> 01:11:31,291 - He just leapt it onto those bungee cords. 1794 01:11:31,324 --> 01:11:32,726 - You see the switch grip right there, 1795 01:11:32,759 --> 01:11:35,395 making sure, ensures that he doesn't peel off. 1796 01:11:35,428 --> 01:11:38,665 - Jay Lache looking so strong. Another big move. 1797 01:11:38,698 --> 01:11:40,166 - Matt, I'ma go ahead and say it. 1798 01:11:40,200 --> 01:11:42,102 This kid's got more heat than the dragon. 1799 01:11:42,102 --> 01:11:43,536 He's got more heat than the dragon. 1800 01:11:43,570 --> 01:11:47,240 - And Jay Lache, 35 feet away from finishing 1801 01:11:47,273 --> 01:11:49,642 another semifinals course! 1802 01:11:49,676 --> 01:11:51,644 [cheers and applause] 1803 01:11:51,678 --> 01:11:55,015 He's got a shot to beat Pippel's time. 1804 01:11:55,115 --> 01:11:56,750 And he is just annihilating. 1805 01:11:56,783 --> 01:11:59,419 He is looking like a graduate student 1806 01:11:59,452 --> 01:12:01,054 here at "Ninja Warrior." 1807 01:12:01,054 --> 01:12:03,056 - Yeah, well, whatever school gets this kid, 1808 01:12:03,056 --> 01:12:04,858 they are getting a winner. 1809 01:12:04,891 --> 01:12:07,794 Finished first in the semifinals last year. 1810 01:12:07,827 --> 01:12:11,097 Looking like he's gonna try for a repeat tonight. 1811 01:12:11,131 --> 01:12:14,434 50-pound door on one side, 50-pound on the other. 1812 01:12:14,467 --> 01:12:15,935 - Ooh, that boy got stronger since last year. 1813 01:12:15,969 --> 01:12:18,071 - Jay Lache! - Let's go! 1814 01:12:18,071 --> 01:12:21,574 - Our third finisher, and it's the fastest of the night! 1815 01:12:21,608 --> 01:12:23,209 [cheers and applause] 1816 01:12:23,243 --> 01:12:26,713 What a performance by this 18-year-old. 1817 01:12:28,648 --> 01:12:30,483 Jay Lache! 1818 01:12:30,517 --> 01:12:32,652 Now, we know you got a decision coming up 1819 01:12:32,686 --> 01:12:33,953 because you're no longer a high schooler. 1820 01:12:33,987 --> 01:12:35,155 You're going to college. 1821 01:12:35,188 --> 01:12:37,457 And we were just wondering, where you going? 1822 01:12:37,490 --> 01:12:40,326 - Yeah, where you going, man? 1823 01:12:40,360 --> 01:12:42,629 Uh-oh, what's this? What's this? 1824 01:12:42,662 --> 01:12:45,165 - I've decided to go to Syracuse University. 1825 01:12:45,198 --> 01:12:47,233 - The Orangemen! - Oh! 1826 01:12:47,267 --> 01:12:50,136 - Wearing the orange S for Syracuse. 1827 01:12:50,170 --> 01:12:53,273 - Matt, that's what I call an announcement right there! 1828 01:12:53,306 --> 01:12:54,741 - Yeah! Let's go! 1829 01:12:54,774 --> 01:12:57,110 - Jay, right now it'd be you and Josiah Pippel 1830 01:12:57,110 --> 01:12:59,813 on the Power Tower, but Joe Moravsky's coming up. 1831 01:12:59,846 --> 01:13:01,214 Could we see a rematch? 1832 01:13:01,247 --> 01:13:02,882 - Ooh, I want a rematch on that bad boy. 1833 01:13:02,916 --> 01:13:04,451 [laughter] 1834 01:13:04,484 --> 01:13:06,653 [cheers and applause] 1835 01:13:06,686 --> 01:13:08,388 - Hit that buzzer again, Jay. 1836 01:13:09,956 --> 01:13:12,192 - That boy going to college! 1837 01:13:12,225 --> 01:13:16,363 - So Jay Lache may be headed to the Power Tower. 1838 01:13:16,396 --> 01:13:19,065 Will his buddy, Joe Moravsky go too? 1839 01:13:19,065 --> 01:13:22,702 We'll see Joe next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1840 01:13:26,806 --> 01:13:29,376 - Plenty of excitement from our final runners tonight. 1841 01:13:29,409 --> 01:13:32,946 19-year-old James Burns is a LEGO fanatic, 1842 01:13:32,979 --> 01:13:35,315 and he made us custom microphones 1843 01:13:35,348 --> 01:13:36,616 built out of LEGO bricks. 1844 01:13:36,649 --> 01:13:38,618 - James Burns just made us the dopest 1845 01:13:38,651 --> 01:13:41,354 LEGO microphone I've ever seen. 1846 01:13:41,388 --> 01:13:42,555 - Here we go. 1847 01:13:42,589 --> 01:13:44,090 - Zuri's didn't work as well as ours, 1848 01:13:44,090 --> 01:13:46,292 but it was the thought that counts. 1849 01:13:46,326 --> 01:13:50,096 On the course, Burns put together an impressive run. 1850 01:13:50,096 --> 01:13:53,099 - It Burns! It Burns! 1851 01:13:53,099 --> 01:13:55,268 - And the Massachusetts native ran his way 1852 01:13:55,301 --> 01:13:58,004 to the fifth obstacle, where he let go 1853 01:13:58,104 --> 01:13:59,773 of the final piece on Kaleidoscope. 1854 01:13:59,806 --> 01:14:01,741 - No! [air horn blares] 1855 01:14:01,775 --> 01:14:03,043 - It was a strong run. 1856 01:14:03,043 --> 01:14:04,244 He didn't quite get through it, 1857 01:14:04,277 --> 01:14:06,312 but I think we're keeping these as souvenirs. 1858 01:14:08,248 --> 01:14:11,051 Next was one of our strongest young competitors, 1859 01:14:11,051 --> 01:14:12,752 Rhode Island's Luke Dillon. 1860 01:14:12,786 --> 01:14:15,422 - I see you, Luke Dillon. - Let's go, Luke! 1861 01:14:15,455 --> 01:14:17,057 - The college student was eliminated 1862 01:14:17,090 --> 01:14:19,592 at the Spinning Bridge in last year's semifinals, 1863 01:14:19,626 --> 01:14:22,362 but he wasn't gonna let it happen again tonight. 1864 01:14:22,395 --> 01:14:24,731 - No! Oh! Yes! A flip. 1865 01:14:24,764 --> 01:14:27,500 Look at it again. He went upside down! 1866 01:14:29,102 --> 01:14:30,970 - With that obstacle behind him, 1867 01:14:31,071 --> 01:14:33,106 the 20-year-old turned it on, 1868 01:14:33,139 --> 01:14:35,408 powering his way to the back half of the course. 1869 01:14:35,442 --> 01:14:37,944 - I guess Luke Dillon's now a Ghostbuster. 1870 01:14:37,977 --> 01:14:39,713 - And after going back and forth 1871 01:14:39,746 --> 01:14:41,881 several times at Split Decision... 1872 01:14:41,915 --> 01:14:44,150 - He's giving it a second thought. 1873 01:14:44,184 --> 01:14:47,520 - He finally settled on Dragonback, and it worked. 1874 01:14:47,554 --> 01:14:49,989 - Nice. - And Dillon climbed the tower 1875 01:14:50,090 --> 01:14:52,192 to become the night's fourth finisher. 1876 01:14:52,225 --> 01:14:54,361 [buzzer blares] - Let's go! 1877 01:14:54,394 --> 01:14:55,528 - Let's go! 1878 01:14:55,562 --> 01:14:56,963 - Well, Luke Dillon, you're gonna be 1879 01:14:56,996 --> 01:14:58,965 dealing in Vegas, man. 1880 01:14:58,998 --> 01:15:01,901 [buzzer blares] 1881 01:15:01,935 --> 01:15:04,371 - Dillon's time did not get him into the top two, 1882 01:15:04,404 --> 01:15:06,706 so right now the Power Tower would feature 1883 01:15:06,740 --> 01:15:09,409 teenagers Jay Lewis and Josiah Pippel. 1884 01:15:09,442 --> 01:15:12,612 But our final runner may have something to say about that. 1885 01:15:12,645 --> 01:15:14,614 Zuri, get him going. 1886 01:15:14,647 --> 01:15:16,416 - You'll see a lot of stars 1887 01:15:16,449 --> 01:15:19,285 at Universal Studios, but there is none bigger 1888 01:15:19,319 --> 01:15:21,621 to Ninja fans than our next athlete. 1889 01:15:21,654 --> 01:15:24,824 I'm talking the Weatherman, Joe Moravsky. 1890 01:15:24,858 --> 01:15:28,061 Like the tornado behind him, he's been a force of nature. 1891 01:15:28,061 --> 01:15:30,330 He's hit 28 buzzers in his career, 1892 01:15:30,363 --> 01:15:32,265 more than any other ninja. 1893 01:15:32,298 --> 01:15:34,834 - And there's the family watching back in Connecticut. 1894 01:15:34,868 --> 01:15:37,637 His mom there with his wife and three kids. 1895 01:15:37,671 --> 01:15:39,272 His dad Joe is on the sideline 1896 01:15:39,305 --> 01:15:41,107 with training partner Jay Lache, 1897 01:15:41,141 --> 01:15:42,876 who's gonna be on the Power Tower. 1898 01:15:42,909 --> 01:15:45,545 We could see a rematch between Jay and Joe. 1899 01:15:45,578 --> 01:15:47,681 Now, the Weatherman won their race last year. 1900 01:15:47,714 --> 01:15:51,384 [countdown clock beeping] 1901 01:15:51,418 --> 01:15:52,886 Needs to beat Pippel's time 1902 01:15:52,919 --> 01:15:56,990 of 4 minutes, 10 seconds to get on the Power Tower. 1903 01:15:57,090 --> 01:16:00,360 Moravsky has been so remarkably consistent. 1904 01:16:00,393 --> 01:16:03,830 I look at he and Flex Labreck as two 1905 01:16:03,863 --> 01:16:07,400 of the most mentally tough ninjas out here. 1906 01:16:07,434 --> 01:16:09,569 - And Matt, a lot of people believe Joe Moravsky 1907 01:16:09,602 --> 01:16:12,672 was supposed to win it all years ago. 1908 01:16:12,706 --> 01:16:14,741 You talked about his consistency. 1909 01:16:14,774 --> 01:16:17,043 Can he put it all together? 1910 01:16:17,043 --> 01:16:18,845 - Has made it to the National Finals 1911 01:16:18,878 --> 01:16:21,047 every time he's competed. 1912 01:16:21,081 --> 01:16:23,049 Made it to stage three five times, 1913 01:16:23,049 --> 01:16:25,285 been the Last Ninja Standing twice. 1914 01:16:27,120 --> 01:16:28,788 Disappointed last year when he went out 1915 01:16:28,822 --> 01:16:30,924 on a balance obstacle in stage two. 1916 01:16:30,957 --> 01:16:33,159 Good correction there with the board. 1917 01:16:33,193 --> 01:16:35,161 - Nice move, Joe. Let's go. Keep moving. 1918 01:16:35,195 --> 01:16:36,896 - Now Spinning Bridge. 1919 01:16:39,099 --> 01:16:41,067 - Good job on the balance obstacle. 1920 01:16:41,101 --> 01:16:42,869 [cheers and applause] 1921 01:16:42,902 --> 01:16:44,371 He wants that Power Tower. 1922 01:16:44,404 --> 01:16:46,072 - Yeah, he's listening to us. - There he is. 1923 01:16:46,072 --> 01:16:48,274 Watch this. - Let's go, Joe. 1924 01:16:48,308 --> 01:16:51,244 - This is Joe Moravsky, the Weatherman, 1925 01:16:51,277 --> 01:16:53,380 turning to Kaleidoscope like a tornado. 1926 01:16:55,715 --> 01:16:59,352 - 33 years old, looking to go up against Jay Lache. 1927 01:16:59,386 --> 01:17:01,388 They battled on the Power Tower last time. 1928 01:17:01,421 --> 01:17:05,325 Moravsky looking strong here on Kaleidoscope. 1929 01:17:05,358 --> 01:17:09,095 Moving efficiently, the clock ticking. 1930 01:17:09,129 --> 01:17:13,333 That Safety Pass was key. He needed it. 1931 01:17:13,366 --> 01:17:15,301 - Yeah, if he didn't have that Safety Pass, 1932 01:17:15,335 --> 01:17:17,303 Matt, it's a whole different story. 1933 01:17:17,337 --> 01:17:20,273 - He would have been out on stage one. 1934 01:17:20,306 --> 01:17:22,142 - Still has plenty of time if he wants to get 1935 01:17:22,175 --> 01:17:23,710 to the Power Tower. 1936 01:17:23,743 --> 01:17:27,113 A quick break, and now he's headed to the back half. 1937 01:17:27,147 --> 01:17:30,083 - He's in the zone right now. He looks serious. 1938 01:17:30,116 --> 01:17:32,419 [cheers and applause] 1939 01:17:32,452 --> 01:17:34,654 - He's finished the semifinals course 1940 01:17:34,688 --> 01:17:36,122 four of the last five years. 1941 01:17:36,156 --> 01:17:37,757 - You got it, Joe. 1942 01:17:37,791 --> 01:17:40,460 - He knows the value of the Safety Pass. 1943 01:17:40,493 --> 01:17:43,196 - It can be $1 million difference. 1944 01:17:43,229 --> 01:17:45,865 Now the Salmon Ladder. Should be no problem. 1945 01:17:49,102 --> 01:17:50,804 Everyone in this crowd watching Joe 1946 01:17:50,837 --> 01:17:52,806 and keeping an eye on the clock. 1947 01:17:52,839 --> 01:17:54,474 He's still got time to beat Pippel, 1948 01:17:54,507 --> 01:17:59,312 but these last few obstacles can really eat up the seconds. 1949 01:17:59,346 --> 01:18:01,681 - Well, you know he wants that shot at the Power Tower. 1950 01:18:01,715 --> 01:18:03,116 That's what Joe Moravsky's about. 1951 01:18:03,149 --> 01:18:05,018 He wants to compete in the Power Tower. 1952 01:18:05,018 --> 01:18:06,886 He wants to show that he's still elite. 1953 01:18:06,920 --> 01:18:09,422 He ain't gonna let these young boys just run the course. 1954 01:18:09,456 --> 01:18:11,091 - Well, if he can dismount off Ghost Town, 1955 01:18:11,124 --> 01:18:13,593 he'll secure a spot in the top 15. 1956 01:18:13,626 --> 01:18:14,894 And he's done it. 1957 01:18:14,928 --> 01:18:17,030 He is definitely moving on to Vegas. 1958 01:18:17,030 --> 01:18:19,599 Now he can focus on getting to the Power Tower. 1959 01:18:19,632 --> 01:18:21,735 - What's he gonna do at Split Decision? 1960 01:18:21,768 --> 01:18:24,070 I think he's gonna go for it, Spin Zone, 1961 01:18:24,104 --> 01:18:26,906 because it's gonna be the quickest way to ensure 1962 01:18:26,940 --> 01:18:29,642 that he gets the time and gets to the Power Tower. 1963 01:18:29,676 --> 01:18:31,778 Oh. - No. 1964 01:18:31,811 --> 01:18:34,114 He's calculating that he can get through Dragonback 1965 01:18:34,147 --> 01:18:36,516 and still have time to get up the Spider Trap 1966 01:18:36,549 --> 01:18:38,051 and beat Pippel's time. 1967 01:18:38,051 --> 01:18:40,053 - Hey, he trusts his upper-body strength. 1968 01:18:40,053 --> 01:18:42,255 Doesn't want to risk it on Spin Zone. 1969 01:18:42,288 --> 01:18:44,924 I'm sure that he's starting to feel the pump. 1970 01:18:44,958 --> 01:18:48,061 Is he gonna slide it down, or is he gonna--oh, nice. 1971 01:18:48,061 --> 01:18:50,063 - Good control. Watch the right side of that bar. 1972 01:18:50,063 --> 01:18:52,832 It's barely on. Good correction. 1973 01:18:52,866 --> 01:18:55,168 That's the challenge on Dragonback, 1974 01:18:55,201 --> 01:18:58,371 and the bar favoring the left side still, Akbar. 1975 01:18:58,405 --> 01:19:01,341 That right side clinging on. 1976 01:19:03,176 --> 01:19:05,478 Oh! - Oh, my gosh! 1977 01:19:05,512 --> 01:19:09,215 Joe Moravsky's down! - Eaten up by the dragon. 1978 01:19:09,249 --> 01:19:12,018 The Weatherman will not go to the Power Tower. 1979 01:19:12,018 --> 01:19:13,520 He's obviously disappointed, 1980 01:19:13,553 --> 01:19:16,156 but the good news, he's still going to Vegas. 1981 01:19:16,189 --> 01:19:17,657 - Well, this is one of the most 1982 01:19:17,691 --> 01:19:20,694 grip-intensive courses we've ever had. 1983 01:19:20,727 --> 01:19:23,163 And you can just see Joe's fingers gave out 1984 01:19:23,196 --> 01:19:27,934 on Dragonback, sending the Weatherman into a twister. 1985 01:19:28,034 --> 01:19:31,037 - So our Power Tower match-up is set. 1986 01:19:31,071 --> 01:19:34,341 Teenagers Jay Lewis and Josiah Pippel 1987 01:19:34,374 --> 01:19:37,377 will race for the Safety Pass. 1988 01:19:37,410 --> 01:19:39,846 And our tower has been redesigned. 1989 01:19:39,879 --> 01:19:43,416 It starts by pushing a hundred-pound sled, 1990 01:19:43,450 --> 01:19:45,719 which leads to the Switchback. 1991 01:19:45,752 --> 01:19:48,054 Then it's a big rope swing across to start the climb 1992 01:19:48,088 --> 01:19:50,690 up the columns to the Cliffhanger. 1993 01:19:52,125 --> 01:19:53,693 Followed by the Pipe Climb, 1994 01:19:53,727 --> 01:19:57,364 and the Dropping Shelves to reach the buzzer. 1995 01:19:57,397 --> 01:19:59,632 And we'll see it in action for the first time 1996 01:19:59,666 --> 01:20:03,136 next on "American Ninja Warrior." 1997 01:20:07,540 --> 01:20:09,209 - Welcome back to Universal Studios. 1998 01:20:09,242 --> 01:20:10,777 We're gonna end our first night 1999 01:20:10,810 --> 01:20:12,645 of semifinals on a high note. 2000 01:20:12,679 --> 01:20:16,649 It's our first chance to see the redesigned Power Tower. 2001 01:20:16,683 --> 01:20:19,552 And the first to try it will be two teenagers, 2002 01:20:19,586 --> 01:20:22,355 Jay "Lache" Lewis and Josiah Pippel. 2003 01:20:22,389 --> 01:20:25,558 Now, both raced and lost on the Power Tower last year. 2004 01:20:25,592 --> 01:20:28,361 - There's some big differences between these two. 2005 01:20:28,395 --> 01:20:31,798 Jay's only 115 pounds and 5'4". 2006 01:20:31,831 --> 01:20:34,134 So he's 35 pounds lighter, 2007 01:20:34,167 --> 01:20:36,336 but 8 inches shorter than Josiah. 2008 01:20:36,369 --> 01:20:38,004 [dramatic music] 2009 01:20:38,038 --> 01:20:40,040 - We both know what it's like to lose on a Power Tower, 2010 01:20:40,073 --> 01:20:42,142 and neither of us is gonna want that to happen again. 2011 01:20:42,175 --> 01:20:44,044 - It's still neck and neck. 2012 01:20:44,077 --> 01:20:47,047 Oh, my, Vance Walker! 2013 01:20:47,080 --> 01:20:49,983 - Jay Lache is still coming. He ain't giving up. 2014 01:20:50,016 --> 01:20:52,218 - Last year, I was definitely just excited to be there, 2015 01:20:52,252 --> 01:20:53,586 and that was not enough. 2016 01:20:53,620 --> 01:20:54,688 - Oh, my goodness! 2017 01:20:54,721 --> 01:20:56,890 - This year, it's gonna be serious. 2018 01:20:56,923 --> 01:20:59,225 - Jay's got a weight advantage. 2019 01:20:59,259 --> 01:21:00,660 I've got a height advantage, 2020 01:21:00,694 --> 01:21:02,595 but we each have our strengths and weaknesses. 2021 01:21:02,629 --> 01:21:06,066 - Jay Lache continues to rise. 2022 01:21:06,099 --> 01:21:07,834 - He's got one of the meanest game faces 2023 01:21:07,867 --> 01:21:10,437 I've ever seen, and he is a really strong athlete. 2024 01:21:10,470 --> 01:21:12,305 It's gonna create a really awesome match-up. 2025 01:21:12,339 --> 01:21:14,407 - This is the big move. 2026 01:21:14,441 --> 01:21:17,977 - Having that Safety Pass is gonna be a big deal this year. 2027 01:21:18,078 --> 01:21:20,847 - Blind grab, blind grab. 2028 01:21:20,880 --> 01:21:22,549 both: Oh! 2029 01:21:22,582 --> 01:21:24,884 - I know from last year that mistakes 2030 01:21:24,918 --> 01:21:26,953 are very easy to be made in Vegas. 2031 01:21:26,986 --> 01:21:29,889 There's nothing you can do once you fall in that water. 2032 01:21:29,923 --> 01:21:33,193 - Oh, no! 2033 01:21:33,226 --> 01:21:35,662 - One of us is walking away without a Safety Pass 2034 01:21:35,695 --> 01:21:36,830 for the second straight year, 2035 01:21:36,863 --> 01:21:39,265 and I definitely don't want that to be me. 2036 01:21:39,299 --> 01:21:42,435 * * 2037 01:21:46,606 --> 01:21:48,742 - So they're gonna move into position. 2038 01:21:48,775 --> 01:21:49,843 - Good luck to you. - You too. 2039 01:21:49,876 --> 01:21:51,444 - Crush it. - Classy. 2040 01:21:51,478 --> 01:21:54,314 Jay Lewis will be starting on the right, the red side. 2041 01:21:54,347 --> 01:21:57,417 Josiah Pippel will be on the left, the blue side. 2042 01:21:57,450 --> 01:21:59,386 - I can't wait to see them in action 2043 01:21:59,419 --> 01:22:01,354 on this redesigned Power Tower. 2044 01:22:01,388 --> 01:22:03,123 Lots of new twists to this one. 2045 01:22:03,156 --> 01:22:04,824 - As you saw last season, 2046 01:22:04,858 --> 01:22:07,293 Jay Lache went out on stage one. 2047 01:22:07,327 --> 01:22:09,529 Josiah went out on stage two. 2048 01:22:09,562 --> 01:22:12,065 Both of them would have loved to have had that Safety Pass. 2049 01:22:12,065 --> 01:22:14,501 Here's a chance to earn it this year. 2050 01:22:14,534 --> 01:22:16,503 - Matt, you can feel the tension. 2051 01:22:16,536 --> 01:22:20,473 [countdown clock beeping] 2052 01:22:20,507 --> 01:22:23,076 - First new element are these hundred-pound sleds. 2053 01:22:23,076 --> 01:22:24,711 And Pippel a slight edge there, 2054 01:22:24,744 --> 01:22:26,146 but let's see what happens in the Switchbacks. 2055 01:22:26,179 --> 01:22:27,914 - Oh, in the Switchbacks, you got to be nimble 2056 01:22:27,947 --> 01:22:29,315 through the Switchback. Oh, boy. 2057 01:22:29,349 --> 01:22:31,084 - And you can see Pippel first up the ramp. 2058 01:22:31,117 --> 01:22:33,153 - Here we goes. Josiah, using them long legs. 2059 01:22:33,186 --> 01:22:34,454 Now into the rope swing. 2060 01:22:34,487 --> 01:22:35,989 - They need to get over to the other side, 2061 01:22:36,089 --> 01:22:38,358 work their way across, and then climb up the column. 2062 01:22:38,391 --> 01:22:41,361 [audience shouting] 2063 01:22:41,394 --> 01:22:44,297 Pippel using those long limbs. Just a slight edge. 2064 01:22:44,330 --> 01:22:47,467 Can he sustain it? Going to the Cliffhanger. 2065 01:22:47,500 --> 01:22:48,501 - Oh, boy. 2066 01:22:48,535 --> 01:22:49,703 Jay Lewis is right there, 2067 01:22:49,736 --> 01:22:51,638 and he's flying through Cliffhanger. 2068 01:22:51,671 --> 01:22:53,239 - And Lache has made it up, 2069 01:22:53,273 --> 01:22:55,475 but Pippel first on the Pipe Climb. 2070 01:22:55,508 --> 01:22:57,310 - Oh, boy. - Just a slight edge. 2071 01:22:57,344 --> 01:22:59,012 Watch it here on the Dropping Shelves. 2072 01:22:59,112 --> 01:23:00,213 - Back and forth! 2073 01:23:00,246 --> 01:23:01,715 - And Lache makes the move first! 2074 01:23:01,748 --> 01:23:03,316 - His name is Jay Lache! 2075 01:23:03,350 --> 01:23:04,684 This is where he can win! 2076 01:23:04,718 --> 01:23:06,319 Oh, my God! Oh, my God! 2077 01:23:06,353 --> 01:23:08,788 [buzzer blares] - And Jay Lewis wins it. 2078 01:23:08,822 --> 01:23:13,259 - That was so close! - Jay Lache edges out Pippel! 2079 01:23:13,293 --> 01:23:14,627 - Oh! 2080 01:23:14,661 --> 01:23:15,929 - One of the closest races 2081 01:23:15,962 --> 01:23:18,131 we've ever seen on the Power Tower. 2082 01:23:18,164 --> 01:23:20,633 - Matt, that was way too much drama for your mama, 2083 01:23:20,667 --> 01:23:22,335 way too much drama for Hollywood. 2084 01:23:22,369 --> 01:23:23,870 Look at this. 2085 01:23:23,903 --> 01:23:25,672 Josiah used his size advantage 2086 01:23:25,705 --> 01:23:27,807 on the sleds, took the early lead, 2087 01:23:27,841 --> 01:23:29,175 and he was able to keep it 2088 01:23:29,209 --> 01:23:31,811 as they swung across and started climbing. 2089 01:23:31,845 --> 01:23:33,213 At Dropping Shelves, 2090 01:23:33,246 --> 01:23:35,515 Josiah still had a slight lead. 2091 01:23:35,548 --> 01:23:38,852 But look at Jay's technique, going sideways. 2092 01:23:38,885 --> 01:23:40,420 That allowed him to catch up. 2093 01:23:40,453 --> 01:23:42,389 They both dove for the buzzer, 2094 01:23:42,422 --> 01:23:45,725 but right there, Jay barely beat him. 2095 01:23:45,759 --> 01:23:50,263 - Just over a tenth of a second separated them, 2096 01:23:50,296 --> 01:23:53,366 and Jay Lache will get that coveted Safety Pass. 2097 01:23:53,400 --> 01:23:55,502 We'll see both of them in Vegas. 2098 01:23:55,535 --> 01:23:58,438 And joining them will be the other finishers from tonight, 2099 01:23:58,471 --> 01:24:00,940 the 12-time veteran Flip Rodriguez 2100 01:24:01,041 --> 01:24:03,043 and 20-year-old Luke Dillon. 2101 01:24:03,076 --> 01:24:04,778 Non-finishers moving on include 2102 01:24:04,811 --> 01:24:08,348 the Weatherman, Joe Moravsky, along with the Phoenix, 2103 01:24:08,381 --> 01:24:10,784 Philadelphia's Najee Richardson. 2104 01:24:10,817 --> 01:24:13,787 And teenager Cal Plohoros is getting a new car 2105 01:24:13,820 --> 01:24:16,122 because he earned his first trip to Vegas. 2106 01:24:16,156 --> 01:24:17,824 Abby Clark finished 15th, 2107 01:24:17,857 --> 01:24:19,392 and the other two women joining her 2108 01:24:19,426 --> 01:24:21,127 are 16-year-old Addy Herman 2109 01:24:21,161 --> 01:24:23,797 and schoolteacher Rachel Degutz. 2110 01:24:23,830 --> 01:24:26,433 So that wraps up our first night of semifinals. 2111 01:24:26,466 --> 01:24:28,134 For Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall, 2112 01:24:28,168 --> 01:24:29,569 I'm Matt Iseman. 2113 01:24:29,602 --> 01:24:33,106 We'll see you next time on "American Ninja Warrior." 2114 01:24:35,075 --> 01:24:38,078 [dramatic music] 2115 01:24:38,078 --> 01:24:45,085 * *