American Ninja Warrior Junior Season 3 2021, Episode 6 – Qualifying #6

Time for another week of American Ninja Warrior Jr.

Let’s review 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 quarterfinals.

Ninja Mentors: Jesse Labreck and Najee Richardson

11-12 Year old Division

The course: Hopscotch, Lunatic Ledges, Spike Crossing, Broken Bridge, Spring Forward, 13-foot Warped Wall (one hand hold)

Seeding Round: Lexi Johnson vs Thalia Wolfe

Lexi was supposed to compete on the first season, but a broken leg derailed her plan. She’s here this season facing Ms. Preteen Sioux Falls, who embraces her Native American heritage.

It was an even race early on.

But Lexi passed Thalia on Lunatic Ledges as both struggled with the 2^nd obstacle.

Thalia passed Lexi after a great run through Spike Crossing.

And the lead would change yet again after Lexi made single bounces on Spring Forward.

Three lead changes eventually led to Lexi claiming the win.

Seeding Round: Shae McCarl vs Owen Pham

Shae is the “Tree Frog Ninja” and is one of the best rock climbers in the country for her age group, while Owen’s been training hard with his brother Ryan (who will be competing in the 9-10 year old division) after a fourth place finish last season.

Owen had the early lead after two obstacles.

And Owen stayed ahead despite some ground made up by Shae on Spike Crossing.

The Tree Frog Ninja caught up completely and passed Owen on Spring Forward and looked to be on her way to victory.

But Owen passed her up the Warped Wall and eked out a win.

Knockout Round: Lexi Johnson vs Shae McCarl

It was an even race through two obstacles.

Another strong showing on Spike Crossing gave Shae an advantage going into the second half of the course.

And Shae kept that lead all the way to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Owen Pham vs Thalia Wolfe

Thalia shockingly fell on the first obstacle, setting up an easy path for Owen to the Final Showdown.

9-10 Year Old Division

The course: Hopskotch, Lunatic Ledges, Liquid Pipe, Broken Bridge, Flying Saucers, 13 Foot Warped Wall (with two hand holds)

Seeding Round: Juliet Beaupre vs Ryan Pham

Ryan is wearing his brother’s shirt from last season and shoes he designed himself, while Juliet is the “J-Bird” ninja.

Ryan took the early lead.

Trying to catch up, Juliet fell on Lunatic Ledges.

Ryan went ahead and completed the course, hitting his first buzzer.

Seeding Round: Caleb Keener vs Creiden Stubblefield-Marsh

Creiden has an audio process disorder where his ears and his brain are not in sync. Ninja has provided Caleb with confidence to help him with his speech issues.

And Caleb lost his grandfather this year. He’s also relied on his ninja friends to help him cope with the loss.

Creiden raced out to the early lead.

But Caleb passed him on Lunatic Ledges.

Creiden stayed close behind, but Caleb kept the lead all the way up the Warped Wall.

Knockout Round: Ryan Pham vs Creiden Stubblefield-Marsh

After having the fastest time in the seeding round, Ryan fell on Lunatic Ledges.

After Creiden completed the 2^nd obstacle, he advanced to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Caleb Keener vs Juliet Beaupre

Caleb advanced to the Final Showdown after Juliet fell on Lunatic Ledges.

13-14 year old Division

The course: Hopscotch, Lunatic Ledges, Sideways, Broken Bridge, Spinball Wizard, 13-foot Warped Wall (no hand holds)

Seeding Round: Colt Elder vs Lexi Vasquez

Colt lives on a chicken farm and has the support of “Cowboy Ninja” Lance Peekus. And Lexi makes pillows for patients who are having open heart surgery to hold.

Lexi took some big steps on Hopskotch to take the early lead.

But Colt passed her on Lunatic Ledges.

Lexi took a big step on Broken Bridge to catch up.

And when Colt fell on Spinball Wizard, Lexi completed the fifth obstacle on her way to victory.

Seeding Round: Jess Wombles vs Jaslyn Bennett

Jess is a pilot, while Jaslyn is a high level gymnast.

Jaslyn fell on Sideways.

Jess fell on Spinball Wizard. But Jess takes the win as she advanced farther.

Knockout Round: Lexi Vasquez vs Jaslyn Bennett

Lexi advanced to the Final Showdown.

Knockout Round: Jess Wombles vs Colt Elder

Colt had a slight lead going into Sideways.

It was there that Colt really put on the pressure.

Trying to catch up, Jess fell on the third obstacle.

Colt hit his first buzzer on the way to the Final Showdown.

11-12 year old Final Showdown: Shae McCarl vs Owen Pham

Time for the first of three matchups in this week’s Final Showdowns.

Both ninjas came out going FAST.

Owen had a slight lead after two obstacles.

But Owen struggled to place a peg on Spike Crossing.

It was there that Shae took the lead for good.

Despite one small slip at the top of the Warped Wall, Shae hit the buzzer and advanced to the quarterfinals!!!

9-10 year old Final Showdown: Creiden Stubblefield-Marsh vs Caleb Keener

Much like there first race, Caleb took the lead on Lunatic Ledges.

Caleb kept that lead all the way to Flying Saucers.

And with the fastest time of the day for the 9-10 year old division, Caleb advanced to the quarterfinals.

13-14 year old Final Showdown: Lexi Vasquez vs Colt Elder

Once again, Lexi skips every other block on Hopskotch.

And Lexi kept that lead all the way to the fifth obstacle.

Lexi looked to have the win, but she lost her grip on top of the Wall.

Colt took advantage and hit the buzzer on his first attempt on his way to the Final Showdown.

Your Quarterfinalists:

9-10 year old division: Caleb Keener

11-12 year old division: Shae McCarl

13-14 year old division: Colt Elder