Johnson ’16 to Compete on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior
6/27/2019 10:49:00 AM | Women's Outdoor Track & Field, Acrobatics & Tumbling, Women's Indoor Track & Field
Former Acrobatics and Tumbling All-American to Appear on Monday, July 1 at 8 PM
HAMDEN, Conn. – Taylor Johnson '16 will be competing on NBC's American Ninja Warrior on Monday, July 1 in the Baltimore City Qualifiers. Tune in to watch one of Quinnipiac's own take on the American Ninja Warrior course at 8 p.m.
Johnson graduated with an undergraduate degree in marketing from Quinnipiac in 2016 and a master's in business administration in 2018. She was a four-year member of the acrobatics and tumbling team and currently serves as Quinnipiac's women's track and field director of operations.
While in graduate school in 2017, Johnson attended an adult ninja class at New Era Ninjas in Hamden, Conn., with former acrobatics and tumbling teammate Samantha Gormley '18. Drew Drechsel, one of the best American Ninja Warriors to compete, also trains at the same gym.
"I fell in love from the beginning," Johnson said. "I knew my strength wasn't where it needed to be after taking a year off, so I started going once a week to build strength."
During the winter break of 2017, Johnson watched American Ninja Warrior episodes, decided the sport was for her and that she wanted to go for it.
"As I was watching, I said to myself, 'I can do this'," Johnson said. "I texted American Ninja Warrior veteran, Drew Drechsel, and asked him what I needed to do. From then on, I trained and learned from Drew, who I am so grateful for."
Johnson grew to love the physically-demanding training. She found inspiration to continue to get better and stronger from things like empowering women and achieving the impossible.
"Coming from acrobatics and tumbling, a sport that empowers women and girls everywhere, I wanted to continue that on American Ninja Warrior," Johnson said. "This competition gives me a huge platform to inspire girls, especially the small ones, to pursue their dreams no matter what people say. You'll have people tell you you're too small or not strong enough, but that is motivation to prove them wrong."
Standing at four feet 11 inches tall, Johnson's ultimate goal is to be the shortest competitor to climb the 14-and-a-half-foot warped wall on American Ninja Warrior.
Johnson is no stranger to success. She was the 2014 NCATA pyramid national champion and 2016 synchronized toss national champion, as well as a 2015 NCATA All-American with the Quinnipiac acrobatics and tumbling team. Johnson was also named the team captain her senior year.
Tune in to NBC on Monday, July 1 at 8 p.m. to watch Johnson compete on American Ninja Warrior.
Johnson graduated with an undergraduate degree in marketing from Quinnipiac in 2016 and a master's in business administration in 2018. She was a four-year member of the acrobatics and tumbling team and currently serves as Quinnipiac's women's track and field director of operations.
While in graduate school in 2017, Johnson attended an adult ninja class at New Era Ninjas in Hamden, Conn., with former acrobatics and tumbling teammate Samantha Gormley '18. Drew Drechsel, one of the best American Ninja Warriors to compete, also trains at the same gym.
"I fell in love from the beginning," Johnson said. "I knew my strength wasn't where it needed to be after taking a year off, so I started going once a week to build strength."
During the winter break of 2017, Johnson watched American Ninja Warrior episodes, decided the sport was for her and that she wanted to go for it.
"As I was watching, I said to myself, 'I can do this'," Johnson said. "I texted American Ninja Warrior veteran, Drew Drechsel, and asked him what I needed to do. From then on, I trained and learned from Drew, who I am so grateful for."
Johnson grew to love the physically-demanding training. She found inspiration to continue to get better and stronger from things like empowering women and achieving the impossible.
"Coming from acrobatics and tumbling, a sport that empowers women and girls everywhere, I wanted to continue that on American Ninja Warrior," Johnson said. "This competition gives me a huge platform to inspire girls, especially the small ones, to pursue their dreams no matter what people say. You'll have people tell you you're too small or not strong enough, but that is motivation to prove them wrong."
Standing at four feet 11 inches tall, Johnson's ultimate goal is to be the shortest competitor to climb the 14-and-a-half-foot warped wall on American Ninja Warrior.
Johnson is no stranger to success. She was the 2014 NCATA pyramid national champion and 2016 synchronized toss national champion, as well as a 2015 NCATA All-American with the Quinnipiac acrobatics and tumbling team. Johnson was also named the team captain her senior year.
Tune in to NBC on Monday, July 1 at 8 p.m. to watch Johnson compete on American Ninja Warrior.
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