Chicago area athletes — including 15-year-old — to compete on ‘American Ninja Warrior’

Several athletes who hail from the Chicago area will compete on Monday’s episode of the NBC series “American Ninja Warrior.”

They manage, coach or train at locally based Ultimate Ninjas gyms. Among the competitors appearing Monday: 15-year-old Maggie Owen of Aurora and Naperville gym manager Jesse Labreck, who came in second in the first ever American Ninja Warrior Women’s Championship. She was the first rookie woman ever to qualify for the ANW Vegas National Finals.

Other Ultimate Ninjas athletes competing on episodes this season include:

• Cameron Baumgartner (of the Naperville location).
• Mike Silenzi (Libertyville)
• Kevin Byrne, Jeffrey Quaiyum (Albany Park)
• Michael Torres (Glenview)

Filming of season 13’s qualifying rounds in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “American Ninja Warrior” airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on WMAQ-Channl 5.

“From the beginning, we have focused on creating an experience that closely mirrors the show and builds, not only the skills, but also the internal strength required to compete at this high level,” Ultimate Ninjas owner Jeff Piejak said in a statement. “These talented athletes are ready, and we can’t wait to cheer them on as they battle it out this exciting, comeback season of the show.”