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About two weeks ago, York County saw the Kindergarten Ninja return to American Ninja Warrior to compete again, and tonight, Aug. 3, York countians will see if he can hit the buzzer.
Chad Riddle, a former teacher and principal in York County and now a principal at Hempfield School District, competed on the show twice before, with the last attempt in 2018, where he was introduced as “the kindergarten ninja.”
Since then, 37-year-old Riddle’s life hit a new obstacle when his wife, Caitlin, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She fought, going through rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. But the cancer spread to her brain and eventually took her.
“Those were the years where I learned what it means to be for better or for worse,” the Codorus resident told the program in an interview. “Till death do you part.”
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He said that one of their last conversations was about her wanting him to compete one more time.
About a year ago, he did it, telling the program that he was soaking in his memories of her as he competed. This time, he also created some memories with his son, Aaron, who was on the platform with him for a few minutes. Before Riddle started his run, he passed one of the stones made from Caitlin’s ashes to Aaron to keep it safe.
Aaron ran back to his family passing a crowd chanting his name, which Riddle said choked him up for a minute.
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“I remember on that block almost crying,” Riddle told The Daily Record. “Almost crying. It was such a surreal moment to have as a dad.”
He had to take a deep breath before he looked up at the sky and pointed upwards.
“It felt very refreshing having just that feeling that she was there watching over my run,” Riddle said about his wife, who had been there to cheer him on in his previous runs.
“He is falling and crashing and finding a way to get back up,” one of the announcers said while Riddle worked his way through the course.
They commented on how Riddle’s students are taking lessons from his athleticism, showing that even when he fell, he got back up.
The principal fell into the water before he could complete the course and hit the buzzer.
“Doesn’t matter there wasn’t a buzzer, that run was a win,” an announcer said.
Riddle was fast enough and made it to the fifth obstacle, which meant he was able to move on to the next round: Regional Finals.
“Last time I nearly fell on every obstacle I touched and barely squeaked through,” he wrote on Instagram. “ Let’s see if I can muster just a little more magic!”
American Ninja Warrior airs at 8 p.m. on NBC.
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This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: York's 'Kindergarten Ninja' returns on American Ninja Warrior tonight
Continue reading...
Chad Riddle, a former teacher and principal in York County and now a principal at Hempfield School District, competed on the show twice before, with the last attempt in 2018, where he was introduced as “the kindergarten ninja.”
Since then, 37-year-old Riddle’s life hit a new obstacle when his wife, Caitlin, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She fought, going through rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. But the cancer spread to her brain and eventually took her.
“Those were the years where I learned what it means to be for better or for worse,” the Codorus resident told the program in an interview. “Till death do you part.”
More: After losing his doctor, York County transgender teen finds hope
More: Demolition of iconic Modernaire Motel site begins in Springettsbury
He said that one of their last conversations was about her wanting him to compete one more time.
About a year ago, he did it, telling the program that he was soaking in his memories of her as he competed. This time, he also created some memories with his son, Aaron, who was on the platform with him for a few minutes. Before Riddle started his run, he passed one of the stones made from Caitlin’s ashes to Aaron to keep it safe.
Aaron ran back to his family passing a crowd chanting his name, which Riddle said choked him up for a minute.
Please consider subscribing to support local journalism.
“I remember on that block almost crying,” Riddle told The Daily Record. “Almost crying. It was such a surreal moment to have as a dad.”
He had to take a deep breath before he looked up at the sky and pointed upwards.
“It felt very refreshing having just that feeling that she was there watching over my run,” Riddle said about his wife, who had been there to cheer him on in his previous runs.
“He is falling and crashing and finding a way to get back up,” one of the announcers said while Riddle worked his way through the course.
They commented on how Riddle’s students are taking lessons from his athleticism, showing that even when he fell, he got back up.
The principal fell into the water before he could complete the course and hit the buzzer.
“Doesn’t matter there wasn’t a buzzer, that run was a win,” an announcer said.
Riddle was fast enough and made it to the fifth obstacle, which meant he was able to move on to the next round: Regional Finals.
“Last time I nearly fell on every obstacle I touched and barely squeaked through,” he wrote on Instagram. “ Let’s see if I can muster just a little more magic!”
American Ninja Warrior airs at 8 p.m. on NBC.
>> Want to stay up to date on the latest news? Sign up for our newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: York's 'Kindergarten Ninja' returns on American Ninja Warrior tonight
Continue reading...
