ANW: Northeast Region Qualifying Round

The Qualifying Round for the Northeast Region took place at Florida International University in Miami, Florida (not quite the northeast, but oh well). The course, unique to this round, consisted of the following:

1. The usual Quad Steps
2. Followed, as always, by the Log Grip
3. Then a new obstacle -- the Bungee Bridge, which seems to be 4 bunches of exercise bands forming a spaced out bridge to the..
4. Jump Hang
5. Trailed by the Jumping Bars, which is a tramp leading to highly elevated monkey bars, spaced 5 feet apart.
6. Then straight of the Mt. Midoriyama course, the Wall Lift
7. And at long last, the overbearing Warped Wall.

Lots of good stories and worthy competitors made up the qualifying group. Click below for a few highlights...

Chris Wilczewski: One of Jonny Moseley's favorites, Chris did not disappoint. After a lot of heavy drinking and a misguided few years in college, Wilczewski found parkour and ANW. The training and competition led to his turnaround and he had a very motivated run, finishing in one of the top spots of the round.

Jesse Villarreal: Moseley's other favorite, this Maine fisherman wears a mask to "channel his inner ninja." The schtick seems to work for him as he blazes through the course and finished with at top 3 time of 1:36.04.

Travis Graves: Last year Graves, in a moment of incredible misfortune, got his foot stuck in the rope net after the Jump Hang. Unable to get his foot removed, time ran out and he was left to wait for this year. That year of waiting proved to be useful, as Graves torched the course.

Michael Tang: The best story of the night, Tang is an Afghanistan veteran who told the story of how he was involved in a roadside bomb that killed his best friend. Through tears, Tang dedicated his performance to this lost friend and used his line of motivation, "Get Tough!", as a means to prepare himself. Unfortunately, Tang slipped on the first of the Quad Steps and fell into the water.

Danny Johnson: Johnson certainly does not look the part of ninja warrior, standing a lanky 6'5" but his skills were very impressive as he breezed through the course, becoming the second competitor of the day to finish.

Tim "Livewire" Shieff: The world freerunning champion, this British-American failed on the Log Grip last year during qualifying despite his confidence. He must have spent the last year thinking about the disappointment as he showed up a more focused ninja. With ease, Shieff finished the course in of the top times.

Elet Hall: The self-proclaimed "Outdoor Warrior" spends days and even weeks training in the woods, putting his ninja and survival skills to the test. The extremely nimble Hall flew through the course and got up the Warped Wall in his second try.

Michael Needham: The unlikeliest of ninjas, Needham stands at 5'5" but ran the course with ease. His bedroom full of ninja warrior obstacles prepared him well for the course and he is definitely a fun one to watch.

My favorites going into the Region Finals on NBC Monday night are: Jesse Villarreal, Danny Johnson, Chris Wilczewski, Elet Hall and Michael Needham.