TV Recap: S13E05 – American Ninja Warrior Season 13 Qualifying Round 5 2021

American Ninja Warrior Season 13 2021: Qualifying Round 5 Season 13 Episode 5

The final week of qualifying is here and we all know (thanks to the advertising and process of elimination) that ‘Flex’ LeBreck’s run is imminent.

But while we wait for Flex’s to take (which will likely be at the end of the show), let’s see who else will shine as the final spots in the semifinals are earned.

Also, tonight’s theme is mentors, so we’ll see if the students can out perform the teachers on the course tonight.

Here’s the course:

Shrinking Steps, Double Down, Split Decision (Log Runner or Block Run), Tilt-a Whirl (new obstacle), Sideways, Warped Wall

Leif Sundberg, 31-year-old Physician’s Assistant


Sundberg holds the track course record for the Tacoma Dome, completing the course in under a minute back in 2019.

And “The Swedish Ninja” moved quickly through the first two obstacles.

Unfortunately, Sundberg was slowed down significantly by the Log Runner.

But amazing fight by Sundberg got him past obstacle three in unbelievable fashion.

I don’t know where Sundberg found the energy to complete Tilt-a-Whirl, but the Swedish Ninja finally ran out of steam on Sideways.

Megan Rowe, 24-year-old Barista

Among her many hobbies, Rowe is an axe thrower.

Rowe made quick work of the first half of the course.

She used up a lot of energy on Tilt-a-Whirl, but one foot was all she needed to latch onto the platform and complete the obstacle.

But Rowe’s run came to an end on Sideways.

During the break…

Nick Woodard fell on Double Down.

Sophia Oster fell on Block Run.

Abbey Steffl, 40-year-old Mother (Career was not shown during the show)

Steffl’s daughter Molly developed alopecia when she was five and her son is autistic.

And Molly will compete on ANW Jr. this fall.

Steffl took a measured approach through the first three obstacles and completed all three.

Steffl’s solid approach continued as she moved methodically to the end of Tilt-a-Whirl.

But unfortunately, Steffl slipped and fell on the last bar of the fourth obstacle.

During the break…

Kourtney Timmons, Arrielle Hall, and Tatsumi Yanaba all fell on Double Down.

Flip Rodriguez, 31-year-old Stunman

Flip’s been training with “Ninja Cal” (from ANW Jr. fame and who is running later tonight) for several years now.

Flip moved as quick as any ninja tonight through the first half of the course.

Rodriguez’s strong run continued through Tilt-a-Whirl.

But like the rest of the night’s ninjas, Flip flipped and fell on Sideways.

Cal Plohoros, 15-year-old Freshman

Now for Ninja Cal’s first run at the big course:

Flip’s influence showed as Plohoros flew through the first half of the course.

The reverse dismount on Tilt-a-Whirl set up Ninja Cal for Sideways.

And then, Plohoros became the first ninja to not only complete the fifth obstacle, but the first ninja tonight to hit the buzzer!!!

Cal Plohoros completed the course in 1:51.49.

During the course…

Nate Tackett fell on Tilt-a-Whirl.

Taylor Amann fell on Sideways.

Nathan Green, 23-year-old College Student

Nathan has a bet with his twin brother, Marquez: whoever does worse on the course gets their head shaved by Taylor Amann.

Marquez Green made it all the way to Sideways earlier.

Nathan fell on obstacle two in 2019.

But he made it past Double Down this season.

Nathan’s strong run continued to Tilt-a-Whirl, where a methodical approach set up a hair vs hair showdown on the fifth obstacle.

Nathan made a one handed save on Sideways, but he slipped and fell shortly after that.

And because Nathan got to obstacle five slower, he’s the one who is getting a haircut.

During the break…

Miles Avery fell on Double Down.

Nick Hanson fell on Sideways.

Jackson Twait, 23-year-old Actuary

Twait trains with his cat, Hashbrown (an adorable name for a cat!!).

Twait looked in great shape to be the night’s second finisher as he raced through the first half of the course.

Twait took no time moving between the fourth and the fifth obstacles.

After completing Sideways, Twait took a shot at the Mega Wall…

And he made it to the top!!!

Twait hit the buzzer on top of the 18-foot Mega Wall and claimed the $10,000 prize!!!

Jackson Twait completes the course in 1:57.59.

During the break…

Jamie Rahn and Sam Folsom (another teacher/student combo) both hit the buzzer!!!

Maggie Owen, 16-year-old Junior

Owen trains with Jessie ‘Flex’ LaBreck. She’s been training with Flex since LaBreck opened a gym 10 minutes from Owen’s house. And a true friendship emerged from that.

Owen was one of the few ninjas to try Block Run. She completed obstacle three with few issues.

But Owen’s run ended on Tilt-a-Whirl.

During the break…

Jake Heaps fell on Double Down.

Avery Glantz fell on Log Runner.

Louis Apalucci fell (blinded) on Double Down.

Chris Behrends, 20-year-old College Student

Behrands and Levi Enright named themselves the “Ninja Teens.”

Neither one of them are actual teenagers, so it is an odd name considering actual teenagers are competing this season (a point that is not lost on the “Ninja Teens.”)

Behrands looked strong through the first half of the course.

Behrands continued his solid approach to the course on Tilt-a-Whirl.

And after completing Sideways, Behrands finished the course, putting an exclamation point on his first run with a Noggin Buzzer!!!

Chris Behrends completed the course in 2:11.04.

During the break…

Levi Enright fell on Log Runner.

Tyler Yamauchi hit the buzzer!!!

Chris DiGangi fell on Block Run.

Kyle Schulze, 31-year-old Motivational Speaker


“The Deaf Ninja” is still looking for his first buzzer.

But to do it this year, he’ll have to do it with a separated shoulder.

Double Down could not have felt good for that, but he did make it past obstacle two.

Schulze stumbled and hit the pad hard on Log Runner (but he did finish the third obstacle).

Schulze fought all the way to Sideways, sore shoulder and all.

But he fell, once again, towards the end of the fifth obstacle.

During the break…

Ming Zhang fell on Double Down.

Logan Broadbent fell on Sideways.

Brian Beckstrand hit the buzzer!!!

Kai Beckstrand, 15-year-old High School Sophomore

Beckstrand was a season one champ on ANW Jr.

Let’s see if both father and son can get a buzzer tonight.

Beckstrand looked like someone whose been practicing ninja his whole life (which he practically has) as Beckstrand flew through the first half of the course.

Beckstrand was in great position for the night’s fastest time as he moved through Sideways.

And he would claim to top spot after making it up the Wall and hitting the buzzer!!!

Kai Beckstrand completes the course in 1:36.83hitThat’s the first time a father and son have completed the course!!!

Ava Colasanti fell on Tilt-a-Whirl.

Joe Brown hit the buzzer!!!

Jamie Ross fell on Sideways.

Jesse LaBreck, 31-year-old Gym Owner


LaBreck had a great season last season qualifying for the Power Tower and finishing second in the women’s competition.

But it’s been a rough season for the ladies so far with only one hitting a buzzer so far.

LaBreck stumbled a bit on Log Runner but held on and advanced to the second half of the course.

LaBreck’s spot for the semifinals was assured after completing Tilt-a-Whirl.

But Flex, as usual, wasn’t content with just getting past obstacle four.

LaBreck made it up the Warped Wall hitting her record 7th buzzer!!!

Jesse LaBreck completes the course in 3:50.65.

During the break…

Kyle Soderman hit the buzzer!!!

Hunter Guerard hit the buzzer!!!

Cam Baumgartner hit the buzzer!!!

Michael Torres, 26-year-old Gym Manager

Torres was a top qualifier last season.

But Torres shockingly fell on Double Down.

Top Ninja Qualifiers from Season 13 Qualifier 4 advancing to the Semifinals for 2021:

Completed Course

  1. Kai Beckstrand
  2. Cal Plohoros
  3. Tyler Yamauchi
  4. Cam Baumgartner
  5. Jackson Twait
  6. Joe Meissner
  7. Kyle Soderman
  8. Hunter Guerard
  9. Chris Behrends
  10. John Mack
  11. Eric Middleton
  12. Sam Folsom
  13. Mike Silenzi
  14. Philip Scott
  15. Brian Beckstrand
  16. Joe Brown
  17. Jesse LaBreck
  18. Jamie Rahn

Fell at Pretzel Sideways

  1. Flip Rodriguez
  2. Donovan Metover
  3. Ken Martin
  4. Nick Hanson
  5. Sem Garay
  6. Marquez Green
  7. Roo Yori
  8. Jason Barber
  9. Andrew Stoinski
  10. Marcelino Riley
  11. Nathan Green
  12. Kyle Schulze

Top 5 Women advancing to the Semifinals:

Completed Course

  1. Jesse LaBreck

Fell at Sideways

  1. Megan Rowe
  2. Taylor Amann
  3. Jamie Ross

Fell at Tilt-a-Whirl

  1. Ava Colasanti

Next week, new location, new obstacles, and the Power Tower is back!!!

ANW heads to LA for the semifinals!!! See you then.

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