TV Recap: S01E02 – American Ninja Warrior Junior Kids 2018

American Ninja Warrior JR Kids Season 1 2018 Episode 2

Here’s a breakdown of the format:

-Ninjas will compete in three divisions: 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old, and 13-14 years old. They will compete in head to head races.

The qualifying rounds feature four ninjas per division. They will start in a seeding round, with the two fastest ninjas from that round taking on the two slowest ninjas in the knockout round.

The winners of the two knockout rounds move on to the final showdown, where the winner will move on to the semifinals.

-The winner of each division at the end of the season receives a $15,000 prize.

Also, Laurie Hernandez will be joining Matt and Akbar as co-host this season.

9-10 Year Old Division (Ninja Mentor: Drew Dreschel):

The course: Sonic Swing, Tic Toc, I-Beam, Floating Tiles, Spin Cycle, 13 Foot Warped Wall (with two hand holds)

Miles Odom vs Kaden Forsha

Miles is the “Barefoot Warrior,” but he is required to wear shoes for this.

Meanwhile, Kaden uses ninja training to help him burn energy before school and before doing homework.

Miles gained the early lead.

Kaden stumbled on Tic Toc, and Miles’s lead grew.

But Kaden closed the gap on I-Beam.

Unfortunately, Miles slipped and fell on Spin Cycle.

Then, Kaden climbed up the Warped Wall and completed the course.

Kaya Senderak vs Arden Jensen

Kaya is the “Vegan Ninja.”

In fact, both ninjas in this race have been vegan their whole lives.

Kaya grabbed a big lead early.

But Arden pulled ahead suddenly as Kaya got stuck on Spin Cycle.

In fact, both ninjas fell on the fourth obstacle. But Kaya got their first, so she gets credit for the victory.

During the break…

Knockout Round: Kaden Forsha vs Arden Jensen

Kaden took the lead at I-Beam and held on to advance to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Kaya Senderak vs Miles Odom

Though Kaya won her heat, Miles was 7 seconds faster on his first run.

The pair was neck and neck through I-Beam.

Miles pulled ahead on Spin Cycle, and Kaya fell again on the fourth obstacle.

Miles hit the buzzer and set up a rematch with Kaden in the Final Showdown.

Of course, Miles did his interview barefoot.

11-12 Year old Division (Mentor: Natalie Duran):

The course: Sonic Swing, Tic Toc, Ring Toss, Floating Tiles, Fly Wheels, 13 foot Warped Wall (one hand hold)

Niko Stradtman vs Hans Hertz

Hans spends a lot of time with his brother Harper training on the ninja course.

Hans came out quick.

But Niko closed the gap on Ring Toss.

Hans had a slight lead going into the Warped Wall, but Niko ran him down from behind and hit the buzzer first.

During the break…

Hattie Jones vs Kacey Hu

Kacey slipped on the Ring Toss, and Hattie hit the buzzer.

Knockout Round: Niko Stradtman vs Kacey Hu

Niko did not repeat the mistake of his first run as he started out fast.

Kacey was slow and steady, gaining ground by the Ring Toss.

But Niko’s lead only grew as Kacey came up just short of finishing Ring Toss again.

Niko climbed the Wall and hit the buzzer, advancing to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Hattie Jones vs Hans Hertz

Hattie is the “Fiddlin Ninja” from Tennessee.

But she fell behind as Hans got off to another quick start.

Hans kept a slight lead on Ring Toss, but Hattie stayed right behind him.

However, Hans would not give up his lead staying steady throughout his run, climbing up the Warped Wall and advancing to the Final Showdown.

13-14 year old Division (Mentor: Meagan Martin):

The course: Archer Steps, Tic Toc, Devil Steps, Floating Tiles, Flying Shelf Grab, 13 foot Warped Wall (no hand holds)

Evan Andrews vs Analise Grady

Analise is a softball player who took up ninja warrior to improve her pitching (and it has added 24 miles to her fastball!!!).

And Evan wakes up at 5 am to train.

The two were even going into the Devil Steps.

Analise gained a small lead and kept it through Floating Tiles. But Evan pulled ahead on the Flying Shelf Grab.

But Evan missed the Wall on his first attempt, allowing Analise to pass him and hit the buzzer.

Maya Grubman vs Bryce Heckard

Bryce wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps and be a firefighter.

Maya ran out to the early lead.

But Bryce passed her on Devil Steps only to see Maya draw even by the end of the third obstacle.

Bryce fell on Flying Shelf Grab. Maya completed it and claimed victory.

During the break…

Knockout Round: Analise Grady vs Bryce Heckard

Analise hit the buzzer and moved on to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Maya Grudman vs Evan Andrews

Maya is a pole vaulter.

But it was Evan who took the early lead.

And the lead only grew as Evan flew over Floating Tiles.

And this time, though he needed two tries, Evan made it up the Warped Wall and hit the buzzer, advancing to the Final Showdown.

9-10 year old Final Showdown: Miles Odom vs Kaden Forsha

The first Final Showdown rematch saw Miles get a decent lead early.

But Kaden passed him on I-Beam.

And after Miles fell on Spin Cycle, Kaden cruised to the buzzer and a place in the Semifinals.

11-12 year old Final Showdown: Niko Stradtman vs Hans Hertz

Niko beat Hans by a single second the first time around.

And as usual, Hans raced out to the lead early.

That lead only grew on Ring Toss.

Hans was a little slow getting up the Warped Wall, allowing Niko to catch up.

But Hans held on this time, hitting the buzzer first and advancing to the semifinals.

13-14 year old Final Showdown: Analise Grady vs Evan Andrews

Our final rematch saw both competitors come out flying.

The two stayed even going into Shelf Grab where Evan pulled ahead.

But once again, Evan missed the Wall on his first attempt.

Analise passed him, but was slow making it to the top.

Evan closed quickly, but not fast enough as Analise hit the buzzer and advanced to the semifinals.

Your Semifinalists:

9-10 year old division: Kaden Forsha

11-12 year old division: Hans Hertz

13-14 year old division:  Analise Grady

 

 

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