ANW: Southeast Region Finals

In our Final region before we head to Mt. Midoriyama, there is stiff competition for the final 15 spots. With one veteran already gone (Ryan Stratis), the pressure is on for the other veterans to perform to a high level. The course, slightly extended from Qualifying is:

1. Quad Steps
2. Log Grip
3. Bungee Bridge
4. Jump Hang
5. Swing Circles
6. Wall Lift
7. Warped Wall
8. Salmon Ladder
9. Cycle Road
10. Cargo Climb

Let's get right into our Southeast Region Finals recap:

Toshio Sidney-Ando: Half-Japanese, half-Jewish, Toshio grew up in Mexico. He credits his athletic ability to his diverse cultural background. When his cousin was diagnosed with cancer last year, Toshio decided to start living life and his first mission was to compete in ANW. Looking relaxed through the first few obstacles, Toshio continued his smooth run to the top of the Warped Wall. Having never seen the Salmon Ladder before, Toshio's inexperience showed as his lack of timing resulted in a long fall to the water.

Kamerion Wimbley: The highly anticipated run from the NFL Defensive End started as it did yesterday -- quickly. Strong through the jump hang, Wimbley continued his form past the Swing Circle, Wall Lift and up the Warped Wall in his second attempt. A new obstacle for him, Wimbley began to fatigue on the Salmon Ladder but he powered through it (and the Cycle Road!). With only the Cargo Climb between him and the summit, Wimbley slowly made his way up, finishing the course in just under four minutes, thirty seconds. Our first finisher and an amazing run from a behemoth of a ninja!

Drew Drechsel: A heavy favorite this year after overcoming a devastating injury from last year's Mt. Midoriyma run, Drechsel used a friendly competition with "Flip" Rodriguez as his motivation for a fast time. Through the first half of the course, he was ahead of his Qualifying time by almost ten seconds. Unlike many competitors, Drechsel is very familiar with the Salmon Ladder and it showed. Onto Cycle Road, despite an initial stumble he clears the obstacle and scampers up the Cargo Climb for the fastest time of the day to that point -- just over two minutes.

Ben Wicks: The acrobatic gymnast nearly fell through the Bungee Bridge but caught himself just in time. Past that, he was smooth through the Warped Wall. New to the Salmon Ladder, his gymnastics experience translated into success but on the second wheel of Cycle Road, his hand slipped and he plunged to the water below.

Bull Bullard: The extremely athletic Harlem Globetrotter impressed in Qualifying and hoped to carry that success into the Finals. Whereas he was taking every opportunity to acknowledge the crowd in Qualifying, tonight he was all business. New to every obstacle on the course, Bullard looked the part of veteran ninja as he blazed through the course, finishing in under two minutes, thirty seconds. Horns up!

David "Flip" Rodriguez: Our top finisher in Qualifying approached the course with that same spot in mind. Signature mask affixed to face, Flip flew through the first half of the course, right on pace with Drew Drechsel's time. Salmon Ladder and Cycle Road proved to be too easy and he cruised past them and up the net to claim the top spot in a VERY deep Southeast Region.

With Flip's strong run, Kamerion Wimbley's spot is taken and the big man is sent packing. Sad to see him go. This Southeast Region may be the best region we've seen this year and each competitor looks the part. Here are the 15 ninjas who will represent their region in Las Vegas:

1. David "Flip" Rodriguez: Finished in 2:02.55
2. Drew Drechsel:  Finished in 2:04.10
3. Travis Rosen:  Finished in 2:12.44
4. Jared "J.J." Woods:  Finished in 2:19.19
5. Michael Eckert:  Finished in 2:20.96
6. Bull Bullard:  Finished in 2:27.41
7. Sean Morris:  Finished in 2:31.34
8. William Brown:  Finished in 2:38.53
9. Thomas Hall:  Finished in 2:52.81
10. Brendan Kelly:  Finished in 2:53.74
11. Andy Taylor:  Finished in 2:58.30
12. Adam Grossman:  Finished in 3:01.12
13. Niko Bogucki:  Finished in 3:27.19
14. Tony Reddick:  Finished in 3:28.50
15. Paul O'Connor:  Finished in 3:29.01

Two weeks from tonight, the 90 qualifiers from the six regions head to Las Vegas to face Mt. Midoriyama. There, they will attempt to conquer the four stages of the toughest obstacle course in the world to become the first American Ninja Warrior. Do you see the first American Ninja Warrior's name above? Who is your favorite? Share your comments below.