ANW: Midwest Region Finals

Taking place in front of The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the finals round got off to a slow start as the first five or six competitors succumbed to an early obstacle, leaving the door wide open for those remaining. Johnathan Morin was the first to complete the course. Although, he has literally no experience on many of the obstacle, you can't tell by watching him. His upper body strength makes up for his inexperience and all viewers were sure to be happy by his second triumph in as many tries on the course.

Stephen Volcko was another aspiring ninja with an impressive run. His bio would have made anyone a supporter and his blistering pace through the course only reinforces that fandom for the Volcko faithful.

Two of the other heavily hyped guys - Matthew Derouen and Andrew Karsen - annihilated the course and finished first and second, respectively. Derouen is a rookie with incredible athleticism, which helped him in achieving the fasted time by nearly fifty seconds.

Click below to see your Midwest Region Top 15 headed to Las Vegas...

Names in Bold are competitors I identified as my favorites in my Qualifying Round recap.

1. Matthew Derouen - Finished the course in 2:25.28
2. Andrew Karsen - Finished the course in 3:15.47
3. Jack Morgan - Finished the course in 3:26.47
4. Stephen Volcko - Finished the course in 3:35.97
5. Arthur Skov - Finished the course in 3:45.53
6. Michael Silenzi - Finished the course in 4:18.73
7. Nick "Lovin" Stephforn - Finished the course in 4:30.27
8. Johnathan Morin - Finished the course in 5:44.41
9. Scott Robinson - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 1:28.12
10. Will Dodd - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 1:32.36
11. Joshua Grant - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 1:43.28
12. Andrew Lowes - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 1:53.96
13. Nate Aye - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 2:18.41
14. Nick Kostner - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 2:54.60
15. Cade Halada - Got through the Salmon Ladder in 3:01.00

Tune into G4 on Sunday night for more American Ninja Warrior...