American Ninja Warrior (season 12)

Season of American realty/sport competition television series American Ninja Warrior

Season of television series

American Ninja Warrior

Season 12
Hosted by| Matt Iseman
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Zuri Hall
No. of contestants| 150
Finals venue| St. Louis, Missouri
No. of episodes| 8
Release
Original network| NBC
Original release| September 7 (2020-09-07) –
November 6, 2020 (2020-11-06)
Season chronology

← Previous
Season 11

Next →
Season 13

The twelfth season of the reality/sports competition series American Ninja Warrior premiered on September 7, 2020[1] and wrapped up on November 6, 2020[2] on NBC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States all eight episodes were filmed in St. Louis, Missouri from June 29 to July 25, 2020,[3] behind closed doors in the America's Center convention center and stadium.[4]

The course returns with the Mega Wall and Power Tower, and the fifty most popular athletes from previous seasons returned with two other ninjas (mostly rookies) of their choosing, like their ninja training partners or someone they have a special connection with. The top twelve competitors moved on to the semifinals after each qualifying episode, as well as the top three women. In this season, the player who won the Power Tower would get to bring their chosen rookies with them to the semifinals, even if the rookies had not made it into the top twelve finishers (or top three women). With the knockout tournament format, There were changed to the semifinal courses as well — unlike the past seasons, a competitor that completed the course would not automatically move on; they would have to be in the top 12 or have made it up the Mega Wall. One contestant, Nick Hanson, did not move on to the semifinals because of COVID contact tracing despite making it up the Mega Wall.

Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila returned for their respective eleventh and eighth seasons, while Zuri Hall returned for her second season on the show.

Season eleven winner Drew Drechsel competed on the season during the duration of its taping. On July 31, 2020, just six days after taping concluded, the United States Department of Justice formally charged Drechsel with four felonies for various crimes in regards to criminal sexual conduct in regards to a complaint filed by a 19-year old woman to the Cherry Hill, New Jersey Police Department, thereby making this season the last season he competed on. Following an August 4 press release by the Department of Justice, NBC cut ties with him and did not air his runs on the season,[5] though they did air the rookies he chose to compete off-screen. In addition, because Drechsel competed on the Power Tower in episode one (and lost to "Big Dog Ninja" Jody Avila),[6] the Power Tower competition was not aired, though Avila was credited with a win by forfeit. Also, fellow ninja Joe Moravsky stated on a Twitch stream that Drechsel didn’t make it to the Power Tower Playoffs.[7][8]

Because of the format change to a knockout tournament and a team format instead of the traditional Sasuke format, the winner's prize has been decreased to only $100,000[9] and there is no "Last Man Standing" prize for the season.

## Contents

* 1 Obstacles
* 2 Qualifiers
* 2.1 Qualifiers #1
* 2.2 Qualifiers #2
* 2.3 Qualifiers #3
* 2.4 Qualifiers #4
* 3 Semifinals
* 3.1 Semifinals #1
* 3.2 Semifinals #2
* 4 Finals
* 4.1 Finals
* 4.2 Power Tower Playoff Bracket
* 5 Ratings
* 6 References

## Obstacles[edit]

List of Season 12 Obstacles  Obstacles

Qualifiers #1  | Shrinking Steps  | Weight for It  | Ring Chaser  | Rib Run  | Slingshot  | Warped Wall / Mega Wall  | N/A
Qualifiers #2  | Lunatic Ledges  | Ferris Wheel
Qualifiers #3  | Beehive  | Spinning Bridge
Qualifiers #4  | Off the Hook  | Sideways
Semifinals #1[10] | Clockwork  | Burn Rubber  | Salmon Ladder  | Corkscrew  | The Dungeon  | Spider Trap
Semifinals #2  | Spring Forward  | Slingshot
Finals  | Falling Shelves  | Diamond Dash  | Spin Hopper  | Slam Dunk  | Dragonback

## Qualifiers[edit]

Key  Italics means that this competitor was also in the top 3 women.

Underline means that this competitor won the Power Tower.
Bold means that this competitor made it up the Mega Wall.

### Qualifiers #1[edit]

The first qualifying round featured three new obstacles, Weight for It, Ring Chaser, and Rib Run. Notable ninjas running the course were school teachers, medical professionals, and ICU nurses who are all making a difference on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, former NFL linebacker Kamerion Wimbley returned after his record-setting season in 2012, being the biggest man (240 pounds) to complete a course.

The Power Tower round featured Drew Drechsel against Jody Avila. Since the United States v. Dreschel case was announced in post production, the round was edited out. Jake Murray (see Qualifiers #2) stated Avila won the round.

Top 12 Competitors Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jody Avila | 01:44.41  | Finished
2  | Tyler Gillett  | 01:45.20  | Finished
3  | Nate Hansen  | 01:53.09  | Finished
4  | Jon Alexis Jr.  | 02:20.02  | Finished
5  | Julius Ferguson  | 03:07.16  | Finished
6  | Mike Wright  | 03:45.41  | Finished
7  | Grant McCartney  | 04:01.16  | Finished
8  | Allyssa Beird | 04:15.10  | Finished
9  | Flip Rodriguez  | 01:13.08  | Slingshot
10  | Jonathan Horton  | 01:20.75  | Slingshot
11  | Ryan Lashoff  | 01:25.63  | Slingshot
12  | Taylor Johnson | 02:21.53  | Slingshot
Top 3 Women Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Allyssa Beird  | 04:15.10  | Finished
2  | Taylor Johnson  | 02:21.53  | Slingshot
3  | Sandy Zimmerman  | 02:25.07  | Slingshot

1 Because of the federal investigation into Drew Drechsel announced during post production, Drechsel's performance (first or second, was not referenced, as he had qualified for the Power Tower), was edited out. The 13th place contestant also fell at Slingshot, did not advance. Producers edited the broadcast to give Johnson, who finished behind other contestants but the second-place woman, credit as the 12th place contestant. Johnson and Ferguson were part of Drechsel's team.

### Qualifiers #2[edit]

Ashley McConville became the twentieth woman in ANW history to make it up the Warped Wall and move on to the semifinals, and Jake Murray's teammates, former AHL hockey player Barry Goers of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Glenn Albright moved on to the semifinals due to Murray's win on the Power Tower. Also, the "Eskimo Ninja" Nick Hanson completed the course and made it up the Mega Wall but did not have a fast enough time to make it into the top 12 competitors.[11]

Also of note, second-place finisher Ethan "The Swan" Swanson did not compete in the semifinals after he came in close contact with another competitor who had tested positive for COVID-19.[12]

Top 12 Competitors Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jake Murray | 00:54.50  | Finished
2  | Ethan Swanson  | 01:04.14  | Finished
3  | Jackson Twait  | 01:13.57  | Finished
4  | Daniel Gil  | 01:18.57  | Finished
5  | Cameron Baumgartner  | 01:20.60  | Finished
6  | Abel Gonzalez  | 01:36.75  | Finished
7  | Donovan Metoyer  | 01:43.56  | Finished
8  | Jamie Rahn  | 01:49.46  | Finished
9  | Chris DiGangi  | 01:56.40  | Finished
10  | Gabriel Hotchkiss  | 02:06.95  | Finished
11  | Jesse Labreck | 02:10.54  | Finished
12  | Roo Yori  | 02:19.71  | Finished
Top 3 Women Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jesse Labreck  | 02:10.54  | Finished
2  | Ashley McConville  | 04:26.34  | Finished
3  | Caitlyn Bergstrom  | 01:09.22  | Ferris Wheel

### Qualifiers #3[edit]

Stuntwoman Jessie Graff once again completed the course, making it to the end to tie Jesse "Flex" Labreck for the most buzzers among women ninjas with five. Meanwhile, the teammates of drummer R.J. Roman of metal band Emuness, Ben Melick and Jessica Helmer moved on to the semifinals even though they did not complete the course because Roman won the Power Tower.[13]

Despite finishing among the top three women, Rachael Goldstein was unable to compete in the semifinals due to a broken finger which she suffered while filming a special episode of American Ninja Warrior in St. Louis.[14]

Top 12 Competitors  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | R. J. Roman | 01:10.07  | Finished
2  | Sean Bryan  | 01:28.81  | Finished
3  | Thomas Stillings  | 01:29.38  | Finished
4  | Austin Gray  | 01:34.38  | Finished
5  | Tage Herrington  | 02:06.99  | Finished
6  | Dan Polizzi  | 02:09.88  | Finished
7  | Najee Richardson  | 02:49.36  | Finished
8  | David Campbell | 03:27.48  | Finished
9  | Jessie Graff | 03:58.76  | Finished
10  | Adam Rayl  | 00:35.17  | Ferris Wheel
11  | Devin Harrelson  | 00:56.85  | Ferris Wheel
12  | Lorin Ball  | 01:06.59  | Ferris Wheel
Top 3 Women  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jessie Graff  | 03:58.76  | Finished
2  | Zhanique Lovett  | 00:32.61  | Spinning Bridge
3  | Rachael Goldstein  | 00:30.43  | Beehive

### Qualifiers #4[edit]

"The Weatherman" Joe Moravsky just edged out Michael Torres, who had the fastest time on Stage One, and brought his teammates, Will Schlageter and Jeshuah Lewis back in the competition. Notable ninjas featured "Big Cat" Karsten Williams rookie former MLB player of the San Francisco Giants Gary Brown who ran the course, making it to the fifth obstacle. Also, six-time ANW veteran Tiana "Sweet T" Webberley made it up the Warped Wall for the first time, as well as ICU nurse Mady Howard who completed the course with the fastest time for the women.

Top 12 Competitors  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Michael Torres  | 01:08.75  | Finished
2  | Joe Moravsky | 01:13.95  | Finished
3  | Lucas Reale  | 01:17.09  | Finished
4  | Mathis “Kid” Owhadi  | 01:23.17  | Finished
5  | Amir Malik  | 01:26.15  | Finished
6  | David Wright  | 01:30.67  | Finished
7  | Lance Pekus  | 01:45.62  | Finished
8  | Kevin Bull  | 01:57.17  | Finished
9  | Alex Nye  | 02:04.69  | Finished
10  | Brian Kretsch  | 02:18.44  | Finished
11  | Alex Carson  | 02:19.92  | Finished
12  | Verdale Benson  | 02:22.29  | Finished
Top 3 Women  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Mady Howard  | 02:29.28  | Finished
2  | Tiana Webberley  | 02:41.03  | Finished
3  | Meagan Martin  | 01:12.35  | Sideways

## Semifinals[edit]

### Semifinals #1[edit]

Some notable competitors like Grant McCartney, Kevin Bull, Abel Gonzalez and Mathis "Kid" Owhadi failed on Corkscrew, an obstacle new to this season, and did not advance to the finals.

Top 12 Competitors[15] Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jake Murray  | 04:37.44  | Finished
2  | Daniel Gil  | 04:38.58  | Finished
3  | Cameron Baumgartner  | 05:30.18  | Finished
4  | Tyler Gillett  | 06:20.09  | Finished
5  | Adam Rayl  | 06:27.41  | Finished
6  | Jackson Twait  | 03:56.67  | Spider Trap
7  | Jody Avila  | 02:50.82  | The Dungeon
8  | Donovan Metoyer  | 02:59.32  | The Dungeon
9  | Jon Alexis Jr.  | 03:07.59  | The Dungeon
10  | Flip Rodriguez  | 03:22.35  | The Dungeon
11  | Chris DiGangi  | 03:30.35  | The Dungeon
12  | Jamie Rahn  | 04:03.01  | The Dungeon
Top 2 Women  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jesse Labreck  | 04:25.54  | The Dungeon
2  | Sandy Zimmerman  | 04:55.26  | Corkscrew

### Semifinals #2[edit]

Top 12 Competitors  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Joe Moravsky  | 04:59.28  | Finished
2  | Lucas Reale  | 05:00.44  | Finished
3  | Austin Gray  | 05:20.95  | Finished
4  | RJ Roman  | 05:31.00  | Finished
5  | Micheal Torres  | 05:52.46  | Finished
6  | Najee Richardson  | 06:35.79  | Finished
7  | Amir Malik  | 03:58.17  | Spider Trap
8  | David Wright  | 03:23.39  | The Dungeon
9  | Dan Polizzi  | 04:15.65  | The Dungeon
10  | Thomas Stillings  | 02:06.43  | Corkscrew
11  | Jeshuah Lewis  | 02:13.26  | Corkscrew
12  | Jessie Graff  | 03:54.09  | Corkscrew

Top 2 Women  Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jessie Graff  | 03:54.09  | Corkscrew
2  | Jeri D'Aurelio  | 02:21.05  | Sling Shot

NOTE: Devin Harrelson actually finished 13th, as he was eliminated on the Corkscrew with a faster time exiting the Salmon Ladder than Graff. As the United States of America v. Drechsel investigation was ongoing at time of post production, the disqualified contestant had a time in the top 12 when the event occurred. As the legal situation was ongoing in post production, Graff, the top woman who actually finished outside of the top twelve, was upgraded to 12th in post production. (The competition had finished taping when the case was announced.)

## Finals[edit]

### Finals[edit]

The finals of the show spanned two nights—episode seven, and the beginning of episode eight. Twenty-eight contestants advanced to the finals, but only 27 officially were included as a result of an ongoing investigation.

Rank  | Competitor  | Time  | Furthest Obstacle

|
|
|

1  | Jake Murray  | 03:56.20  | Finished
2  | Daniel Gil  | 04:12.68  | Finished
3  | Lucas Reale  | 04:33:36  | Finished
4  | Najee Richardson  | 04:36:66  | Finished
5  | Austin Gray  | 04:40:29  | Finished
6  | Adam Rayl  | 06:24.15  | Finished
7  | Jesse Labreck  | 07:31:02  | Finished
8  | Amir Malik  | 02:40.70  | Dragonback

### Power Tower Playoff Bracket[edit]

The Final 8 competed in a single-elimination tournament format with the top 8 seeded based on the performance in the final. The result are as follows:

| Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 | Jake Murray | Lose | | |
| 8 | Amir Malik  | Win |
| | 8 | Amir Malik | Lose |
|  |
| | | 5 | Austin Gray | Win |
| 4 | Najee Richardson | Lose |

| 5 | Austin Gray | Win |
| | 5 | Austin Gray | Lose |
|  |
| | | 2 | Daniel Gil | Win |
| 2 | Daniel Gil | Win | |

| 7 | Jesse Labreck | Lose |
| | 2 | Daniel Gil | Win |
|  |
| | | 6 | Adam Rayl | Lose |
| 3 | Lucas Reale | Lose |

| 6 | Adam Rayl | Win |

American Ninja Warrior 12 champion: Daniel Gil

## Ratings[edit]

Episode  | Air Date  | Timeslot (ET)  | Rating/Share
(18–49)  | Viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|

1  | Qualifiers #1  | September 7, 2020  | Monday 8:00 PM  | 0.6[16] | 3.66[16]
2  | Qualifiers #2  | September 14, 2020  | 0.5[17] | 3.18[17]
3  | Qualifiers #3  | September 21, 2020  | 0.5[18] | 3.48[18]
4  | Qualifiers #4  | October 5, 2020  | Monday 9:00 PM  | 0.4[19] | 2.22[19]
5  | Semifinals #1  | October 12, 2020  | Monday 8:00 PM  | 0.6[20] | 3.09[20]
6  | Semifinals #2  | October 21, 2020  | Wednesday 9:00 PM  | 0.5[21] | 2.58[21]
7  | Finals  | October 28, 2020  | 0.5[22] | 2.94[22]
8  | Power Tower Playoff Bracket  | November 6, 2020  | Friday 8:00 PM  | 0.5[23] | 2.97[23]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (August 12, 2020). "American Ninja Warrior Sets Premiere for Pandemic-Shortened Season 12". TVLine. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
2. ^ Lee, Nikki (September 28, 2020). "American Ninja Warrior is NOT on tonight (Monday, September 28)". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
3. ^ "Exclusive: 'American Ninja Warrior' shoots COVID-19-delayed Season 12 in St. Louis dome". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
4. ^ "'American Ninja Warrior' Season 12 Returns After Filming Under Strict Quarantine Guidelines". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
5. ^ "American Ninja Warrior all-stars: Drew Drechsel, facing life in prison, will be edited out". reality blurred. August 6, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
6. ^ "Did Drew Drechsel win American Ninja Warrior's Power Tower? Who was on his team?". reality blurred. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
7. ^ "United States of America v. Andrew Drechsel". United States Department of Justice. USDOJ. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
8. ^ US Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey (August 4, 2020). "Florida Man Charged with Child Sex Offenses in New Jersey". United States Department of Justice. Department of Justice. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
9. ^ Lee, Nikki (August 19, 2020). "Take a closer look at Season 12's competition format". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
10. ^ Lee, Nikki (October 12, 2020). "Season 12 complete results: Night one of Semi-Finals". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
11. ^ Lee, Nikki (September 15, 2020). "Nick Hanson wrapped up his season with the Mega Wall". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
12. ^ https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGqm_A9pz6B/?igshid=26hhcrugg2fg
13. ^ Lee, Nikki (September 21, 2020). "Night three of Qualifiers: Leaderboard and advancing Ninjas". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
14. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnIiy6lwDs/?igshid=1g6co3f3php0r
15. ^ Lee, Nikki (October 12, 2020). "Night one of Semi-Finals: Leaderboard". American Ninja Warrior Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
16. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (September 8, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.7.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
17. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (September 15, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.14.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
18. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (September 22, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.21.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
19. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (October 6, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.5.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
20. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (October 13, 2020). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.12.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
21. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 22, 2020). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.21.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
22. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 29, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.28.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
23. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 9, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.6.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

American Ninja Warrior

Seasons|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13

Hosts|

* Current
* Matt Iseman
* Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
* Zuri Hall
* Former
* Jenn Brown
* Kristine Leahy
* Jimmy Smith
* Jonny Moseley
* Angela Sun
* Alison Haislip
* Blair Herter

Competitors|

* Geoff Britten
* Isaac Caldiero
* David Campbell
* Kacy Catanzaro
* Brandon Denson
* Evan Dollard
* Zach Gowen
* Jessie Graff
* Jonathan Horton
* Joe Moravsky
* April Steiner Bennett

Related|

* American Ninja Warrior Junior
* American Ninja Warrior: Challenge
* American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja
* American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. The World
* American Ninja Challenge

* Category
* WikiCommons

* v
* t
* e

Ninja Warrior

Versions|

* Japan
* Sasuke (men)
* Competitions (men)
* Kunoichi (women)
* USA
* American Ninja Challenge
* American Ninja Warrior
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* Ninja vs. Ninja
* Junior
* UK
* Ninja Warrior UK
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* Germany
* Ninja Warrior Germany
* Australia
* Australian Ninja Warrior
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5

Events|

* Warped wall (soritatsu kabe)

International competition|

* American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. The World

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