Connecticut Residents Vie for Top Spot on ‘American Ninja Warrior'

Two Connecticut residents, including a former NBC Connecticut weather intern, are vying for the top spot on NBC's "American Ninja Warrior."

Joe Moravsky

Joe Moravsky, originally of Sherman, is competing in his third season of the show, which tests physical strength and speed and athletes dodge, dart and climb their way through impressive obstacle courses.

According to Moravsky, practicing parkour, gymnastics and rock climbing are three of the best ways to train. Moravsky himself works as a gymnastics instructor in Newtown.

He's also a meteorologist who has interned for NBC Connecticut's Chief Meteorologist Brad Field, earning himself the nickname "Ninja Weatherman."

During Season 5, Moravsky finished sixth in the Baltimore Qualifiers, second in the Baltimore Finals and second in the Las Vegas Finals. He then earned three first-place finishes on Season 6 and was selected for Team USA to compete in "USA vs. The World," according to his website.

Now, he's going into tonight's Season 7 series finale with two second-place finishes under his belt.

Drew Dreschel

Moravsky will go head-to-head tonight with South Florida native and current Connecticut resident Drew Dreschel, who has been a finalist in three prior seasons.

Dreschel, who works as director and lead instructor of the New Era Ninjas training facility in Hamden, finished stage one of this season's finals with the fourth-fastest time, according to a press release from New Era Gymnastics.

He was a finalist in season 3, 4 and 5.

Dreschel's supporters will cheer him on at a viewing party tonight at New Era Ninjas at 850 Sherman Avenue in Hamden.

You can watch the finals at 8 p.m. on NBC Connecticut.

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