American Ninja Warrior Junior Kids Season 2 2020, Episode 13

Just one spot left in the finals, and this week begins the final set of qualifiers to determine who gets that final spot.

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: Kaden Forsha vs Jeff Baumgarten

Jeff helps out at his dad’s autoparts store in the summer (and the junkyard at the store is great for ninja training), while Kaden trains with Colorado’s Wolfpack Ninjas.

Kaden had the lead going into the 2^nd obstacle.

But hesitiation by Kaden helped Jeff pass him.

Jeff kept that slight lead going into the fifth obstacle.

But Kaden make quick work of Flying Squirrel, passed Jeff, and took the win.

Seeding Round: Skylar Awalt vs Airen Anfinson

Airen and her brother Ben (who competed earlier in the season in the 11-12 year old division) always compete with each other, while Skylar takes care of a Russian tortoise.

Skylar raced out to the lead right off the bat.

She kept that lead through most of the course as Airen overcame a stumble on Block Run.

Skylar lead the race from start to finish, hitting the buzzer and taking the win.

During the break…

Knockout Round: Kaden Forsha vs Airen Anfinson

Kaden won and advanced to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Skylar Awalt vs Jeff Baumgarten

Jeff had the faster time in the seeding round, but Skylar is the one who won her race.

Jeff showed that speed racing out to the early lead.

He kept that lead all the way through four obstacles.

Skylar kept close behind, but Jeff held her off and set up a rematch in the Final Showdown.

But Skylar will hold a spot in the Wildcard standings at the end of this episode.

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: Anna McArthur vs Chase Hughes

Chase was born with a hole in his heart that has since been patched up, while Anna is a self-taught pianist and lifelong gymnast.

Anna raced out to a big lead early.

But Anna lept too early on Double Tilt Ladders and missed the landing platform.

Chase finished the course and took the win.

During the break…

Seeding Round: Emerson Smith vs Jonah Maningo

Emerson lost her footing on block run, and Jonah hit the buzzer.

Knockout Round: Chase Hughes vs Emerson Smith

Emerson is a young architect who draws up floor plans and builds models of homes.

Emerson overcame a couple of stumbles early to stay even with Chase.

This time, it was Chase who slipped and fell on Double Tilt Ladders, losing his grip as he tried to make a big dismount.

Emerson hit the buzzer and advanced to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Jonah Maningo vs Anna McArthur

Both ninjas came out fast!!!

On Double Tilt Ladders, Anna made it through this time, but Jonah had the lead after the third obstacle.

Jonah kept that lead all the way up the Warped Wall, hitting the buzzer just before Anna.

Jonah moves onto the Final Showdown, while Anna claims a spot on the Wildcard Leaderboard.

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: Kate Bone vs Grace Moon

Katie runs with insulin pumps on her arms due to her Type 1 Diabetes and is a high level climber, while Grace is a singer who performs in a reggae band and is a level nine gymnast.

Katie raced out to the early lead.

But Grace kept close on Crazy Cliffhanger.

The pair were about even on Sky Hooks.

Grace finished the fifth obstacle first, while Katie just missed the Warped Wall on her first attempt.

Grace hit the buzzer and took the win.

Seeding Round: Kai Beckstrand vs Zach Hammer

Kai is moving up divisions after winning the 11-12 year old division last season, while Zach is a champion speed climber who’s climbed on four continents.

These two came out fast.

Unfortunately for Zach, he fell on Little Dipper.

Kai finished the course and took the win.

During the break…

Knockout Round: Grace Moon vs Zach Hammer

Zach took the win and advanced to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Kai Beckstrand vs Katie Bone

Both ninjas have Type 1 Diabetes, and Kate lobbies Congress as part of JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Foundation).

Kai raced out to a big lead early.

And he kept that lead all the way to the buzzer, posting one of the fastest times in the age group.

But Katie shaved 10 seconds off her first time and took the top spot currently on the Wildcard Leaderboard.

9-10 year old Final Showdown: Kaden Forsha vs Jeff Baumgarten

The first of three rematches in today’s Final Showdowns.

Kaden flew through the first two obstacles.

But Jeff passed Kaden on Block Run.

Kaden retook the lead on Flying Squirrel and made it up the Wall just ahead of Jeff to advance to the Quarterfinals!!!!

11-12 year old Final Showdown: Emerson Smith vs Jonah Maningo

Jonah raced out to the early lead.

But Emerson passed him on Double Tilt Ladders.

Emerson kept that lead all the way up the Warped Wall and advanced to the Quarterfinals!!!

13-14 year old Final Showdown: Zach Hammer vs Kai Beckstrand

Speed, speed, speed.

It was really hard to keep up with these two flying through the course!!!

Trying to keep up with Kai, Zach’s huge leap on Sky Hooks created massive momenutum.

That momentum pushed Zach off the Sky Hooks and into the water.

Showing no ill effects from moving up a weight class, Kai hit another buzzer and moved onto the Quarterfinals!!!

Your Quarterfinalists:

9-10 year old division: Kaden Forsha

11-12 year old division: Emerson Smith

13-14 year old division: Kai Beckstrand

Wildcard Qualifiers:

9-10 year old division:

Jeff Baumgarten

Skylar Awalt

11-12 year old division:

Jonah Maningo

Anna McArthur

13-14 year old division:

Zach Hammer

Katie Bone