American Ninja Warrior Junior Kids Season 2 2020, Episode 9
Two finalists down, two more to go!!!
Now, it’s time for the next set of qualifiers.
Let’s review this season’s format:
-Just like last season, 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 quarterfinals.
-New this season: instead of waiting until the end of the season to see all the winners, there will be a quarterfinal round episode after three episodes to determine who goes on to the semifinals.
-With the new format, there will only be three semifinal qualifiers, so the fourth spot will be determined with the two fastest non-winners competing for a wildcard spot.
9-10 Year Old Division (Ninja Mentor: Najee RIchardson)
The course: Shrinking Steps, Little Dipper, Spider Walls, Block Run, Flying Squirrel, 13 Foot Warped Wall (with two hand holds)
Seeding Round: Jax Neubauer vs Brynli Smith
Brynli is a level 8 gymnast who made it all the way to the Final Showdown last season, while Jax is a master technician who is also a magician.
Brynli raced out to the early lead.
But Jax caught up on Little Dipper.
Byrnli was back into the lead as the two headed for the Flying Squirrel.
And despite having Jax hot on her heels, Brynli kept that lead all the way up the Warped Wall, claiming the win.
Seeding Round: Everett Lee vs Trinity Rocho
Trinity’s family lives in an RV (hence the name “RV Ninja),” while Everett placed at the Athlete Warrior Games.
This race ended quickly, as Trinity got caught up on the net of Little Dipper.
But Everett missed the net entirely.
Trinity went ahead and finished the course.
During the break…
Knockout Round: Brynli Smith vs Everett Lee
Everett handled the Little Dipper this time.
But he stumbled on Block Run.
Brynli took advantage and advanced to the Final Showdown.
Knockout Round: Trinity Rocho vs Jax Neubauer
Jax stumbled early on, but Trinity got her foot caught on the net at the end of Little Dipper again.
The pair kept things even all the way to Flying Squirrel.
And Trinity edged out Jax, hitting the buzzer and advancing to the Final Showdown.
11-12 Year old Division (Ninja Mentor: Jessie Graff)
The course: Shrinking Steps, Little Dipper, Double Tilt Ladders, Block Run, Wing Nuts, 13 foot Warped Wall (one hand hold)
Seeding Round: Jordan Carr vs Benjamin Anfinson
Benjamin creates comic books and build robots, while Jordan is an avid rock climber who has previously climbed with a cast on her foot.
Jordan had a small lead after Little Dipper.
That lead increased after an early dismount on Double Tilt Ladders.
Jordan would keep that lead all the way up the Warped Wall as she hit her first buzzer.
During the break…
Seeding Round: Carson Dean vs Julia Marcus
Carson won with a convincing run through the course.
Knockout Round: Jordan Carr vs Julia Marcus
Julia fell on the 2nd obstacle, sending Jordan on her way to the Final Showdown.
Knockout Round: Carson Dean vs Benjamin Anfinson
Carson is the “Deaf Defying Ninja” because he doesn’t wear his hearing aides on the course.
Carson raced out to the early lead.
But Benjamin stayed close on his heels.
Carson held the lead from start to finish, advancing to the Final Showdown.
13-14 year old Division (Ninja Mentor: Drew Dreschel)
The course: Floating Steps, Little Dipper, Crazy Cliffhanger, Block Run, Sky Hooks, 13-foot Warped Wall (no hand holds)
Seeding Round: Caleb Brown vs Vance Walker
It’s a finalist in the 11-12 year old division last season vs last season’s division champ!!!
Vance is also dealing with cerebral palsy as he trains and competes while Caleb can dead hang for 23 minutes.
Caleb took the lead early, but Vance was not far behind.
On Sky Hooks, Vance showed why he’s the defending champ, racing past Caleb on the fifth obstacle and hitting the buzzer just before his competitor in a great race!!!
Seeding Round: Addison Mason vs Ceri Evans
Ceri and her mom have a crafting cabin, while Addison literally lives in a ninja gym.
Addison had a small lead after the first two obstacles.
But Ceri too the lead after three obstacles.
The lead alternated throughout as the pair entered Sky Hooks.
It was there that Ceri slipped and fell on the last hook.
But Addison fell there as well.
Because Addison got to the platform of the fifth obstacle first, Addison claims the win.
During the break….
Knockout Round: Vance Walker vs Ceri Evans
Vance claimed another win, advancing to the Final Showdown.
Knockout Round: Addison Mason vs Caleb Brown
Addison pushed the pace early on out of necessity.
But Caleb put fourth another impressive run, setting up an epic rematch in the Final Showdown.
9-10 year old Final Showdown: Brynli Smith vs Trinity Rocho
A little stumble and another foot caught in the net on Little Dipper by Trinity gave Brynli a slight lead.
But Trinity nearly caught her as the pair headed towards the Flying Squirrel.
Brynli kept her lead all the way to the end, advancing to the Quarterfinals.
Trinity did claim 2nd spot on the Wildcard Leaderboard.
11-12 year old Final Showdown: Jordan Carr vs Carson Dean
Carson took the lead after two obstacles.
Jordan stayed a little longer on Double Tilt Ladders, allowing Carson to extend his lead.
But on Wingnuts, Carson slipped and fell.
Jordan completed the fifth obstacle and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Carson’s fastest time does put him in the top spot on the Wildcard leaderboard.
13-14 year old Final Showdown: Vance Walker vs Caleb Brown
Don’t blink, because these two are going to fly through this course!!!
The two were virtually even after two.
Vance came out of Ulimate Cliffhanger with the lead.
Caleb pressed catch up on Sky Hooks, causing him to fall.
Vance Walker hit the buzzer and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Caleb claims the top spot on the wildcard leaderboard with a sub 30 second time.
Your Quarterfinalists:
9-10 year old division: Brynli Smith
11-12 year old division: Jordan Carr
13-14 year old division: Vance Walker
Wildcard Qualifiers:
9-10 year old division:
Jax Neubauer
Trinity Rocho
11-12 year old division:
Carson Dean
Benjamin Anfinson
13-14 year old division:
Caleb Brown
Ceri Evans
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