RECAP: American Ninja Warrior Season 16 Episode 8 (S16: E8)

Cayden Jones, Obstacle Warriors North Richland Hills | Updated August 22, 2024

Ninja Warriors from around the country unite in Vegas for Stage One of American Ninja Warrior Finals. Stage One is an all out sprint through eight obstacles. First up was Slide Surfer, then Barrel Roll, Giant Rollercoaster, Jumping Spider, the Gambler, Warped Wall, Dipping Birds, Thread the Needle. The time limit for Stage One is 2 minutes and 50 seconds.

Sydney Yee was up first on the obstacle course. Yee made it through the early obstacles with no issue. She made it to the Gambler before falling into the water on the fifth obstacle.

David Bergstrom Wright hopped onto the course next. Wright flew through the obstacles quickly. Unfortunately, he stumbled on Thread the Needle, leading to a disappointing run for the Cake Ninja. He completed the course, but didn’t make it in the allotted 2 minutes 50 seconds.

David’s wife, Caitlyn Bergstrom Wright went up next. She had no problem with the first two obstacles, but fell on the Giant Rollercoaster.

Jacob Arnstein went next, making his second trip to the national finals in Vegas. Unfortunately, he fell on the Jumping Spider.

Vincent Pane was next. He fell on the Gambler.

John Mack | American Ninja Warrior Las Vegas Finals Stage One | Image via American Ninja Warrior

John Mack went next, showing off some speed and agility. His reach undoubtedly helped on the Jumping Spider. Mack took some time on the Gambler, but was able to complete it. He was able to complete the Stage One course with 10 seconds to spare.

Taylor Johnson went next. The 30 year old was back for the 2nd year in row. Unfortunately, she fell on the Jumping Spider again.

Xavier Dantzler had one of the wildest runs of the night. When he reached the Gambler, his luck ran out.

Owen Dyer also had a wild ride. He got hung up on the Gambler, but was able to complete it. Unfortunately, he didnt have anything left for Thread the Needle.

Jessie Graff | American Ninja Warrior Las Vegas Finals Stage One | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Jessie Graff returned for another chance at completing Stage One of the Vegas Ninja Warrior Finals. She looked strong powering through the course. Unfortunately, she ran out of gas at the Warped Wall.

Jonah Brown went next. The 19 year old went off the tracks, and back to the ground on Giant Rollercoaster.

Annabella Heinrichs went next. The cosmetology student looked good through three obstacles, but slipped up on Jumping Spider.

Nick Hanson went next. The 36 year old handled the first obstacles with ease, but fell on Dipping Birds.

Colton Skuster went next, finishing the course with 24 seconds to spare.

Madalyn Madaras went next. She made it past the Giant Rollercoaster, but fell on the Jumping Spider.

Grant Kiningham went next. He got hung up on the Gambler, but made it through. Unfortunately, he fell on Thread the Needle.

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Isaiah Thomas went up next. The Texas youngster sped through the course, hitting the buzzer with 25 seconds to spare.

Kyle Schulze went next. The Dead Ninja had no problem on the first few obstacles. He got hung up on the Gambler, falling on the Ace of Spades.

Kevin Rodriguez went on the course next. He was spent, but was able to hit a buzzer with 17 seconds to spare.

Noah Meunier went up next, speeding through the course. He was able to hit the buzzer with 30 seconds to spare.

His girlfriend and reigning Women’s Champion Addy Herman went up next. Herman flew through the early obstacles with ease. Unfortunately, she slipped up on the Dipping Birds.

Daniel Gil went up next. Gil was close to $1 million last year, until Vance Walker beat his time. The 30 year old made the obstacles on Stage One look like a breeze, hitting a buzzer with 21 seconds to spare.

Ixchel Valentino made her debut on Stage One. Unfortunately, she fell on the first obstacle.

Donovan Metoyer went up next. The Classy Ninja was aiming to get to Stage Two, but slipped up on the Jumping Spider.

Gavin Obey hopped on the course next. Unfortunately, he fell on the Gambler.

Najee Richardson went up next for his final season of American Ninja Warrior. Richardson looked strong throughout the early obstacles, but fell on the Gambler.

Ben Behrends went up next. Unfortunately, he fell on the Gambler.

Luke Beckstrand was next. He was able to hit a buzzer with 20 seconds to spare.

Kai Beckstrand hopped on the Finals course next. The 180lb ninja flew through the obstacles with no hesitation, hitting the buzzer with 43 seconds to spare.

Josh Salinas was up next on the course. The ninja from Houston almost made it to the finish line, but slipped up on Thread the Needle.

Jenn Sanders tackled the course next. After conquering the first obstacle, she slipped up on Barrel Roll.

James Sannella went up next. Unfortunately, he fell on the Gambler.

Sean Bryan took on the course next. The 9-time ninja veteran hit the buzzer with 10 seconds to spare.

Mady Howard | American Ninja Warrior Las Vegas Finals Stage One | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Mady Howard from Utah was on the course next. Howard was on fire, making it past the warped wall before time ran out.

Cam Baumgartner came out strong on the course. He lost valuable time on the Gambler, but made it through. He was able to finish with 3 seconds to spare.

Jackson Twait sped through the Stage One obstacles. The 6-time ninja veteran finished with 45 seconds to spare.

Flip Rodriguez was up next on the course. He struggled on the Gambler, but was able to finish with 14 seconds left.

RJ Roman was ready for the course next. The speedster did great on the early obstacles. He completed the Gambler, but was shaky on the landing, grabbing the truss (which is out of bounds) and ending his run.

Vance Walker | American Ninja Warrior Las Vegas Finals Stage One | Image via American Ninja Warrior

Vance Walker returned for another chance at Total Victory. Last year, Vance won $1 million as the Grand Champion of Season 15’s American Ninja Warrior. Vance had no trouble on the course, finishing with 34 seconds left on the clock.

The rest of the national finalists get their shot at the Stage One obstacle course next week. Stay tuned next Monday, on American Ninja Warrior.

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