American Ninja Warrior Season 16 Episode 1 RECAP (S16:E1)
Cayden Jones, Obstacle Warriors North Richland Hills | Updated June 4, 2024
Episode 1 started off with a charming recap of last year’s Season 15 highlights.
The first competitor of the night, local Dallas-Fort Worth resident Karen Wiltin hopped on the course. She conquered “Pole Vault” with ease. “Dangerous Waters” was a breeze as she used her agility to speed through the obstacle. Karen’s grip slipped as she jumped onto “Duck Duck Goose”
OBSTACLE WARRIOR APPAREL AND GEAR
Dillon “The Paper Pilot” Ruble flew through the early obstacles, but wasn’t able to lock in the bar on “Jawbreaker.”
Abby Bell, the 19 year old Olive Garden waitress from Oklahoma fell on “Reel to Reel.”
Wes Meador from Prairieville, LA made it through the early obstacles, but feel on “Dangerous Waters.”
Jonah Maningo, the 16 year old from Chino Hills, CA turned up the heat through the course, but fell at the end of “Jawbreaker.”
Tim Schnee, the 53 year old transit supervisor from Marysville, WA made it through the 2nd obstacle with pure joy. Over the past few years, Tim has fallen on the 2nd obstacle. “Dangerous Waters” was a breeze for Tim, but he wasn’t able to make it on “Duck Duck Goose.”
Kyle Schulze, the Deaf Ninja has been cursed by the 6th obstacle over the years. This time he made it though all the obstacles and was able to hit his first buzzer.
Bobby Micks, the 48 year old software engineer from Phoenix, AZ was able to jump past “Pole Vault,” but wasn’t able to get through “Reel to Reel.”
Ixchel Valentino, the 19 year old nuclear engineering student solved the first 2 obstacles, but fell on “Dangerous Waters.”
The Archery Ninja Anthony Porter flew past the first obstacles, but missed the target on” Jawbreaker.”
Isaiah Thomas, 19 year old local ninja from Garland, TX made the course seem like a breeze and was able to hit the buzzer in 1 minute 19 seconds, giving him a chance at the 18.5 ft Mega Wall. He managed to get his fingers on the edge, but wasn’t able to hold on.
Professional mover Milton Nkunku has fallen on the first obstacle the last two times he took on the course, so he was determined to conquer it this season. He made it past “Pole Vault,” but came up short on “Reel to Reel.”
Jesus Capote, a tree trimmer from Louisiana flew across the course, but fell on “Jawbreaker” in order to secure his spot in the semifinals.
Sam Folson from Dorsey, IL sped through the early obstacles, but fell on “Duck Duck Goose.”
Isabella Wakeham, 20 year old from Cypress, TX made headlines as she won the Couples Championship last week. She pushed through all the obstacles and was able to hit her first buzzer.
Madelyn Madaras cruised through the course, but encountered a mishap on “Jawbreaker.” Her quick pace qualified her for the semifinals.
Jody Avila, the 38 year old from Sugarland, TX made the qualifing course look easy and was able to hit a buzzer.
Daniel Gil | Image via Facebook | American Ninja Warrior
Ninja warrior veteran Daniel Gil returned to tackle the course. The 30 year old worship leader from Houston, TX shocked the world as he completed stage 4 last year. Unfortunately he fell short against Vance Walker. He flew through the course for a chance at the 18.5ft Mega Wall. He reached for the sky, but wasn’t able to make it up the monstrous wall.
Rookie Jonah Brown from Tennessee sped through the course for one of the fastest times of the night.
During the Runoffs phase of the show, competitors Caiden Madzelan and Jonas Harmer faced head to head for the final spot in the semifinals. The pair started off even on the Quintuple Steps, but a mis-step caused Caiden to fall into the water.
Ixchel Valentino and Liv Hackman faced off next for the 4th spot in semifinal for the ladies. Liv maintained a lead throughout the course until they reached the Wingnuts, where she slipped on a hold and fell into the water.
In the next phase of the qualifiers, ninjas faced new obstacles, including “Double Twister” and “Ring the Bells.”
Langdon Dinsdale faced the course next. The 38 year old biomechanical specialist from Clermont, FL faced the course barefoot. The barefoot ninja flew threw the course, but wasn’t able to complete “Duck Duck Goose.”
16 year old Nacssa Garemore from Ocala, FL became the youngest ninja ever to climb stage 4 for $1 million last year. This year, he flew through the course to hit another buzzer, for a chance at the 18.5ft Mega Wall. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to get up the wall.
Roberto Garemore from Ocala, FL took on the course, but fell on “Duck Duck Goose.”
Lilah Nathison from Fuquay-Varina, NC sped through the early obstacles, but fell on “Dangerous Waters.”
Kyle McCreight from Sarasota, FL did incredible throughout the obstacle course, but fell on “Ring the Bells.”
Zoey Tizon from Berkeley, CA flew through the early obstacles, but fell on “Dangerous Waters.”
Elijah Browning from Thompson’s Station, TN has hit a buzzer every year, but came up short as he fell on “Duck Duck Goose.”
Jenn Sanders from Columbus, OH had an energetic run, but fell on “Ring the Bells.”
Owen Dyer from Bentonville, AR had a close call on “Dangerous Waters,” but was able to push through and hit the buzzer.
The cowboy ninja Lance Pekus came back for his 13th season. He fell on the fifth obstacle, but his speed gave him a good chance at the semifinals.
Alex Nye from San Diego, CA returned for his 4th season and was able to hit a buzzer.
Ashley Bergstrom from Largo, FL fell on “Dangerous Waters.”
Zhanique Lovett | Image via Facebook | American Ninja Warrior
6-time ninja veteran Zhanique Lovett fell on “Duck Duck Goose.”
Anna McArthur from St. George, UT came out strong, but her run ended at “Ring the Bell.”
Flip Rodriguez came out speeding and made it to the buzzer in under 1:18, giving him a chance at the 18ft Mega Wall. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to reach the top.
Lisa Hair, 32 year old Dermatology PA from Orlando, FL ran through the course quick, but fell on “Duck Duck Goose.”
Caleb Bergstrom | Image via Facebook | Ashley Bergstrom
Caleb Bergstrom from Largo, FL exploded through the course, and completed the course in 1:05, giving him a shot at the almighty Mega Wall. He had a great run up and made it up the Mega Wall to win $20,000.
54 year old Jen Van Deren attempted to push through, but fell on “Double Twister.”
Nikki Zink and Lisa Hair raced face-to-face to earn the last spot in the Women’s Semifinals. Lisa was able to come out on top as Nikki fell on “Hopscotch.”
Elijah Browning and Roberto Garemore ended up face-to-face to earn the final spot in the Men’s Semifinals. Roberto was the first to hop off “Hopscotch,” but Elijah was able to hit the buzzer first for an electrifying close-call.
DO YOU HAVE A FIELD TRIP COMING UP?
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