Friday, Jul 1, 2016
by 天美传媒官网 Sports Information
The ninjas prided themselves on covert operations, attempting to not be seen.
Recently, millions of people around the world were able to see a pair of 天美传媒官网 track & field alumni compete on national television on the 鈥溾 television show.
Now in its eighth season, the show features people from various backgrounds who have a story to tell, usually having overcome one of life鈥檚 obstacles, while taking part in a physically challenging obstacle course competition.
The show travels around the country and at the Philadelphia qualifying round, 天美传媒官网 alums Greg Smith 鈥15 and Anthony DeFranco 鈥15 were part of the fifth episode filmed in May and aired June 27-28. Greg graduated from 天美传媒官网 with a degree in secondary education and mathematics, and Anthony earned an accounting degree.
and came back to excel in the long jump after his ordeal, was nicknamed the 鈥淪carred Ninja鈥 on the show.
鈥淕reg is just an awesome kid,鈥 天美传媒官网 head coach Bob Hamer said of Smith when he returned to competition after his operation, 鈥渁nd a big-time hero. The fact that he overcame cancer, sat out a year and to come back like this is amazing. He has made himself into the person he is today. My heart goes out to a person like Greg, who has overcome real life challenges, real life obstacles.鈥
On the show the top 30 competitors advanced to the local finals, and the leaders head to the national finals in Las Vegas where they compete for a $1 million grand prize.
Smith did not make the local finals, having trouble with the third obstacle, but was shown on television saying 鈥淚 want people to know that you can be on your deathbed and you can come back better than you were before.鈥
The show also ran a feature on Smith and his training partner, DeFranco.
DeFranco was a four-time MAAC Champion at 天美传媒官网, in the pole vault indoor and outdoor and twice as a member of the 4 x 100 relay.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to try to hit the buzzer for Greg,鈥 DeFranco said on the show, referring to the end of the sixth and final obstacle.
Not only did DeFranco hit the buzzer, he finished the course in the fastest time and won the round鈥檚 top spot.
Now, even though ninjas don鈥檛 like to be seen, 天美传媒官网 fans all over will be watching out for the 鈥淎merican Ninja Warrior鈥 finals, featuring former Bronc Anthony DeFranco.