Students Test Physical Abilities At American Ninja Warrior Course In Vines Center

After the visit of multiple “American Ninja Warrior” (ANW) past competitors at Liberty University, Student Activities provided students with the opportunity to try a small version of a course in the Vines Center Nov. 16.

Students were required to sign a waiver before they could try the course, which allowed students to test their abilities in areas of balance, upper body strength and speed. While students awaited their turn, they were able to purchase, refreshments including energy drinks, from Student Activities.

Director of Student Activities Cort Comfort said, in an interview with news reporter J. Samuel Hughes, that the ANW obstacle course was an opportunity to bring a healthy competition to campus in a way that hasn’t been done before.

“This really does come down just to building a community on campus of students who are really excited about healthy competition through obstacle courses,” Comfort said.

One-by-one, students made their way through the obstacle course as others cheered them on. Two members of the Student Activities’ event staff commentated on each individual’s attempt, similar to the official commentators at the ANW competitions.

Junior Trevor Jaastad said his favorite part of the course was running up the wall at the end and climbing to the top. He said he wanted to try the course because he grew up watching the television show.

“I just remember growing up and watching “American Ninja Warrior” on TV with my little brother and saying how we definitely could or could not do some parts of the course,” Jaastad said. 

Junior Brandon Ngo said the course was more difficult than he had expected. He saw the course as an opportunity to test his physical abilities.

“I wanted to try it out because it was an opportunity to assess my physical strength and motivate me to exercise,” Ngo said.

For more information about Student Activities’ upcoming events, visit www.liberty.edu/sa.

Insight  from “American Ninja Warrior” contestants Grant McCartney, Josiah Singleton, Chad Thornhill and Carrington Hammond.

Grant McCartney, often referred to as the Island Ninja, debuted on Seasons 7 of ANW. McCartney learned to rely on the peace God had given him in every trial, both on the TV show and in life outside the show. 

“Your relationship with the Lord will give you the sustaining peace through any up or down,” McCartney said. “And it feels crucial on the downs, … but it’s just as crucial on the highs.” 

Josiah Singleton, known as the Country Boy Ninja, competed in Seasons 11, 12, 13 and 14 of ANW. He said God used the show to fix the brokenness inside him. 

“I think the Lord used this show … to work redemption and healing in my own soul,” Singleton said. 

Chad Thornhill waited for over seven years before his application was accepted and he was invited to compete in Season 13 of ANW. During this period of waiting, Thornhill realized that there were more important things in life than a call back for a TV show. 

“It was seven years before I got the call back. … There’s bigger stuff in life that’s more important, so keeping in (that) perspective … came very natural for me because (of) the time it took to actually get an invitation,” Thornhill said. 

Carrington Hammond, who dreamed of being part of ANW since she was in fifth grade, competed in Seasons 14 and 16. She said by competing, she was able to be a light to her community.

“Since I coach students, … I wanted them to watch me and … be like … whatever they go through, they can live out their dreams as well,” Carrington said. “I didn’t care to be an inspiration to the world, but just the people (whose) lives I impacted every day.” 

Carrington encourages students to share the Gospel in whatever situation the Lord has placed them.   

“Use the platform God has given you. … We can make an impact on the people around us … and share God through those experiences,” Carrington said. 

Sturek is the campus news editor for the Liberty Champion.