University of the Cumberlands student athlete to compete on ‘Ninja Warrior’

University of the Cumberlands’ student-athlete Brendon Kelly is headed to Miami this week on what will hopefully be his first step in his goal to achieve, "total victory."

The all-American football and track star is one of 125 men and women chosen to participate in the first round competition of American Ninja Warrior.

"My dad initially applied for me," Kelly said when asked how he was chosen for the competition. "He sent in a five-minute video of me explaining why I should be picked for the show. They liked it."

Kelly’s video shows him completing his own version of Ninja Warrior’s infamous "cliff hanger" obstacle, using a spiral staircase on campus as the cliff.

The video includes arguably his greatest comeback, as he told the story of how he has come back to participate and excel in both sports despite five surgeries during which doctors removed one of the muscles in his calf.

"It was the muscle that makes your ankle move," Kelly explained.

Kelly said he was injured while playing safety and returning punts for the Patriots Football Team after taking repeated blows to the same spot on the leg during the 2010 season.

Following the surgeries, the doctors told him he would be lucky to be running in five months.

"I came back in two and a half months and had my first track race," Kelly said.

The competition in Miami is one of six regional competitions. The first round of each regional competition will consist of a course contain six obstacles. The top 30 in that competition will return Thursday to take on nine-obstacle course. The top 15, or those with the fastest times if more than 15 manage to complete all of the obstacles will move on to Las Vegas for their shot at, "total victory."

The winner and runner-up of American Ninja Warrior 2012 will not be going to Japan to compete on the famous course on Mount Midoriyama as in years past. Working with NBC, which will tape and air the finals, the course has been duplicated in Las Vegas for the finalists.

"The networks (NBC and G4) collaborated with the original Japanese broadcaster, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, to bring the competitive course over to the U.S.," NBC officials stated, noting in the 15 years of Ninja Warrior competitions, only three men have completed all four stages to achieve, "total victory."

The finals are tentatively scheduled for April 21 and 22.

The winner, whether he or she achieves total victory or not, will receive $500,000. While the money is appealing, Kelly said he has another goal on his mind as well.

"I can’t miss track," said the junior, who runs in the 800 meters, four by 400 meters and four by 800 meters races.

However things turn out in Miami, Kelly said even his family and friends will just have to tune in to G4 which will be showing the preliminary rounds beginning at 9 p.m. May 20. The finals will be broadcast on NBC at 9 p.m. May 28.

"If I tell anyone what happened before it airs, it is like a $100,000 fine," Kelly said.

Kelly’s audition video may be seen on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH7ZrPZGlWA.