RECAP: American Ninja Warrior Season 16: Episode 3

Cayden Jones, Obstacle Warriors North Richland Hills | Updated July 2, 2024

Another electrifying episode of American Ninja Warrior aired last night on NBC. The obstacle course competition show features contestants from around the U.S competing for glory and the ultimate prize of $1 million.

The episode started off with 44 year old gym owner from Utah Holly Beckstrand on the course. She made it through the first obstacle with ease. She struggled to dismount on Ring Chaser, but made it across. Holly stumbled on the Spinning Bridge, but recovered to complete the obstacle. On Heavy Metal, she surprised herself when she completed the first transition. Unfortunately, she couldn’t figure out the Cubes.

Ethan Gardulski from Riverview, MI faced the course next. The teenager handled Pole Vault with no issue. He made it across the next few obstacles easily. Ethan took some time on the Cubes, but completed the obstacle to make it up the Warped Wall.

Kadeem Aarons flew through the course, but fell on Heavy Metal.

Ron Zaagman from MI had his family cheering as he took on the course for the first time in 5 years. Unfortunately, he fell on Heavy Metal.

Riley Porter | Spinning Bridge Obstacle | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Riley Porter from South Lyon, MI made the early obstacles look easy. The high school track athlete made it to the Cubes before her arms gave out.

Jackson Twait showed off his speed on the course. He was able to hit a buzzer in one minute nineteen seconds for a chance at the Mega Wall. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it up the 18-foot wall.

Yari Breaunig | Image via instagram @ninja_yari

Yari Breunig from Waunakee, WI is a 38-year old social media infuencer and mom. She made it past the early obstacles easily. Unfortunately, she stumbled on Heavy Metal.

Calvin Tran from Kansas City, Kansas fell on the Pole Vault.

Jawon Turner flew through the early obstacles, but fell on Heavy Metal.

Drew Nester from Sioux Fall, SD conquered all the obstacles and was able to hit a buzzer in a little over 3 minutes.

Taylor Green | Ring Chaser Obstacle | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Taylor Greene from Broomfield, CO was the 1st female rookie to hit 2 buzzers. In season 15, she was the top woman in Vegas. The 16 year old stayed focused and completed the early obstacles with no issues. She was able to hit a buzzer in two minutes and fifty-six seconds.

Jaelyn Bennet fell on the Cubes obstacles.

Donovan Metoyer completed the grueling course in one minute fifty seconds.

Luke Beckstrand had no trouble and hit a buzzer in two minutes eleven seconds.

Kai Beckstrand had a major upset last year as he fell on the Jumping Spider of Stage 1 in Vegas. The young ninja veteran sped through the course and was able to hit a buzzer in one minute six seconds, for a chance at the Mega Wall. He was able to power through and win $20,000 by conquering the 18 foot Wall.

Nate Hansen | Heavy Metal Obstacle | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Nate Hansen cruised through the course, but slipped up on Heavy Metal.

Austin Gray sped through the course and hit a buzzer in one minute twenty nine seconds.

Brandon Varner went against Jesse Maurer in the Runoffs for the final spot in the Semi Finals. Varner fell on the Flying Shelf Grab, giving Maurer the win.

Judith Carroll | Warped Wall Obstacle | Image via Ninja Warrior Australia

In the Runoffs, Holly Beckstrand went head to head against Judith Carroll. The contestants were even on the early obstacles. Unfortunately, Holly fell on the Wingnuts first. Judith fell on Sideways, giving her the win.

Sydney Yee from Powell, OH had a slip up on the Spinning Bride, but was able to find her balance. Unfortunately, she fell on Heavy Metal.

Xavier Dantzler | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Xavier Dantzler from New York flew through the course and was able to hit a buzzer in one minute thirty-four seconds.

Frantzce Theodore from New York fell on Reel to Reel.

James Burnes from Massachusetts fell on Reel to Reel.

James McGrath is a 8-time national finalist from New Bedford, MA and has had 21 career buzzers. The 37-year old had a major stumble as he didn’t release on Reel to Reel, but was able to make it through. He had another stumble on the Spinning Bridge, but completed the obstacle. He was able to hit a buzzer in three minutes twenty two seconds.

McKinley Pierce from Vermont fell on Reel to Reel.

Anna Kenyon from Vermont fell on the Spinning Bridge.

Gavin Obey from Massachusetts fell on the Jawbreaker.

Abby Clark made the first few obstacles look like a breeze. She took some time on Heavy Metal, but was able to conquer the obstacle. She was able to beat Jawbreaker and the Warped Wall for a buzzer in two minutes fifty seven seconds.

Dave Cavanaugh fell on Spinning Bridge.

Brittney Durant fell on Heavy Metal.

Ninja veteran Jamie Rahn flew to the fifth obstacle, but fell on Jawbreaker.

Emily Gardiner flew through the course with high energy, but fell on Heavy Metal.

Kevin Rodriguez smashed the course and hit a buzzer in one minute eleven seconds, for a chance at the Mega Wall. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it up the wall.

Jesse Orenshein fell on Jawbreakers.

Joe Moravsky was able to hit a buzzer in one minute six seconds for a chance at the Mega Wall. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it up the 18-foot Wall.

Joe Meissner hit a buzzer in under one minute twenty seconds.

James Sannella hit a buzzer in one minute fifteen seconds.

Josiah Pippel hit a buzzer in one minute two seconds. All three contestants weren’t able to beat the 18-foot Mega Wall.

24 year old Sasha Moore went face to face against 15 year old Sydney Lee in the Runoffs. The pair completed the first obstacle evenly heading into the Shelf Grab. Sasha fell on the Wingnuts, giving Sydney the win.

OBSTACLE WARRIORS NORTH RICHLAND HILLS

Your favorite ninja obstacle course gym is opening soon in Summer 2024! Kids and adults get to experience what it’s like to be a ninja warrior! We encourage kids and adults to have fun, learn, and challenge themselves to be the best that they can be. Unleash your inner ninja warrior.

Location: Obstacle Warriors NRH is located at 8525 Airport Fwy, North Richland Hills, TX 76180