TV Recap: S01E12 – American Ninja Warrior Junior Kids 2019

American Ninja Warrior JR Kids Season 1 2019 Episode 12

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)

Seeding Round: Harlyn Nelson vs David Futeran

Harlyn sold 758 Girl Scout cookies this year (and I will happily purchase more of those cookies) and has 66 gymnastics trophies to her name.

And David Futeran shows of his inner Sheldon Cooper with his knowledge of flags (“Fun With Flags” anyone?).

David raced out to a quick lead.

Rushing to catch up, Harlyn fell on Tic Toc after missing her first swing.

David went ahead and finished the course, securing the win and starting his competition out right.

Seeding Round: Vienna Beaupre vs Jaleesa Himka

Vienna loves dogs and volunteers at shelters. Jaleesa is an exceptional chef who baked her own ninja course out of food.

Vienna raced out to the early lead.

But she missed the jump on Tic Toc and fell on her dismount during the 2nd try.

Jaleesa chose not to finish the course to preserve energy after the win was secured.

During the break…

Knockout Round: Jaleesa Himka vs Harlyn Nelson

Tic Toc continued to wreak havoc as Harlyn fell on the 2nd obstacle again.

This time, Jaleesa completed the course on her way to advancing to the knockout round.

Knockout Round: David Futeran vs Vienna Beaupre

So Vienna, the “Pawsitive Ninja,” works at dogs shelters, but we get no footage of adorable dogs? Come on producers!! That was a no brainer!!!

The race was even at the start.

Vienna did much better on the Tic Toc this time, staying even.

But David took a slight lead on the third obstacle.

David kept that lead all the way up the Warped Wall.

Both ninjas hit buzzers, but David increased his time by 12 seconds from his first race and advanced to the Final Showdown.

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

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

Seeding Round: Braidon Fredericksen vs Charlie Ham

Charlie is a champion gymnast who is trying to turn her mom’s gymnastics gym into a ninja gym.

The two were even going into Tic Toc.

Braidon hesitated on Floating Tiles, allowing Charlie to take the lead going into the fifth obstacle.

Charlie kept that slight lead all the way up the Warped Wall, where Braidon missed his first shot going up.

Charlie climbed up the Wall on her first attempt to secure the win.

Seeding Round: Mary-Amma Blankson vs Carli Snook

Mary-Amma is “The Ballerina Ninja” who plays four musical instruments, while Carli is obsessed with unicorns and reading.

Mary-Amma got off to a great start.

Mary-Amma took advantage of her big lead and took her time the rest of the way through.

Mary-Amma finished the course and took the win while Carli continued to methodically work her way through the course.

And with great support from the crowd, Carli hit the buzzer as well.

Knockout Round: Mary-Amma Blankson vs Braidon Fredericksen

Braidon had the early lead, with Mary-Amma staying right behind him.

Braidon’s lead grew on Floating Tiles.

Mary-Amma slipped on Fly Wheels, opening the door for Braidon to finish the course and advance to the Final Showdown.

During the break…

Knockout Round: Charlie Ham vs Carli Snook

Charlie won easily, advancing to the Final Showdown.

Carli hit her 2nd buzzer and received encouraging words from Natalie Duran.

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

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

Seeding Round: Jay Lewis vs Cabot Sayles

Cabot is from Vermont and traveled over 2000 miles to compete.

Both ninjas started out fast.

Cabot took the lead on Devil Steps.

Cabot would not relinquish the lead as he climbed up the Wall and hit the buzzer first.

During the break…

Seeding Round: Sophia Beaulieu vs Abby Richert

Sophia took the win after Abby fell on Tic Toc.

Knockout Round: Sophia Beaulieu vs Jay Lewis

Jay can flip up to ten feet from one station to the next. He’s also a Rubik’s Cube expert.

Jay raced out to a big lead early.

But Jay hesitated on Tic Toc, and Sophia took advantage by taking the lead.

Jay regained the lead on Devil Steps, but Sophia stayed close behind.

It would not be enough as Jay “Lache” Lewis hit the buzzer and advanced to the Final Showdown.

Sophia did hit a buzzer as her competition ended.

Knockout Round: Cabot Sayles vs Abby Richert

Abby’s nickname is “Little Pretzel.” She is a contortionist who is also a ribbon dancer that can shoot a bow and arrow with her feet. Wow.

Cabot raced out to a big lead early.

Abby was able to complete Tic Toc this time, but she fell on Devil Steps.

Cabot hit another buzzer and advanced to the Final Showdown.

9-10 year old Final Showdown: Jaleesa Himka vs David Futeran

Let’s see who takes this matchup of unbeaten ninjas.

David raced out to the early lead.

Jaleesa stayed close behind, but David separated himself on the Floating Tiles.

David did not relinquish that lead at any point in the race as he hit the buzzer first and advanced to the semifinals.

11-12 year old Final Showdown: Braidon Fredericksen vs Charlie Ham

Charlie took the first matchup, and she held a slight lead after two obstacles.

Charlie used her reach advantage to increase that lead on Ring Toss.

Braidon stayed close behind and had a chance to pass Charlie on the Wall.

But once again, Braidon fell on the first attempt as Charlie made it up and hit the buzzer, advancing to the semifinals.

13-14 year old Final Showdown: Jay Lewis vs Cabot Sayles

The first race between these two was great, so let’s see if they can live up to it again.

Cabot raced out to a lead early on.

But Jay held his own on Devil Steps, the obstacle Cabot pulled away on the first race, and passed Cabot on the Floating Tiles.

Jay moved through the fifth obstacle at near record time as he avenged the previous loss to Cabot and advanced to the semifinals.

Your Semifinalists:

9-10 year old division: David Futeran

11-12 year old division: Charlie Ham

13-14 year old division: Jay Lewis

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