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Night two of the American Ninja Warrior season 13 National Finals will bring us possibly the showdown of the season: Jesse Labreck versus Stage One.
There’s a wealth of history here. Jesse has faced Stage One four previous times. Three of those times, she’s been so, so close to the buzzer, but found herself in the water.
In this preview from Monday’s upcoming episode, Jesse approaches the start line and shares just how badly she wants this accomplishment.
This feels a bit like destiny, doesn't it? Jesse has hit more buzzers than any other woman in Ninja Warrior history. She’s cleared the 10-obstacle course three times. She’s cleared the Qualifying course five times. In season 12, she made it to the top eight and competed on the Power Tower.
Stage One is hers. We can just feel it. Right?
We all know American Ninja Warrior is a fickle beast. Anything can happen at any moment. As Jesse told us earlier in the season:
“I know I can do it. I did it in USA vs The World. I know I’m capable of doing it. It’s just doing it that one time that it counts. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself. If I do it, awesome. If I don’t, my life will have not changed from the past four years. I’ve gone through failing it three times in a row. I’ve been fine. I’ll be fine again.
I would like to get it. I would really, really like to get it. But I know that obviously, it’s really, really hard. I’ve had three chances at it. Three times I’ve gotten to the end. Three times and I haven’t gotten it. It’s hard.
That’s my goal. I’m fully aware that you don’t always reach your goals. But I’m going to keep trying for it. Until I decide to stop.”
We’ll have to wait until Monday, September 6 to find out if Jesse reaches this monumental goal. American Ninja Warrior, which is produced by A. Smith and Co., airs at 8 pm/7c on NBC.