Kaden Lebsack youngest Last Ninja Standing

Kaden Lebsack of Castle Rock made American Ninja Warrior history when he became the youngest to earn the title of Last Ninja Standing and $100,000 in season 13 of the grueling competition.

Lebsack is the great-nephew of Dick and Mary Lou Lebsack of Holyoke. The 16-year-old high school junior was only 15 when he secured overall champion status at the four-stage American Ninja Warrior finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May. The finale aired on NBC on Monday, Sept. 13.

American Ninja Warrior involves pitting athletes against some of the world’s most difficult obstacle courses, which increase in difficulty with progressive rounds.

Prior to season 13, competitors had to be at least 19 years old. This season allowed people as young as 15 to compete.

Lebsack has watched American Ninja Warrior since he was 10, and it was something he knew he wanted to do right away. He remembers how huge the obstacles appeared to him, and it looked like the competitors were flying as they navigated the courses.

“From there, that’s what I knew what I want to do,” he said. “I’ve been training for about five years.”

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