00:02As we said, Abby Clark made it to the fourth obstacle last year, and she's been doing very well in
00:07local competitions, ready for a breakout season.
00:10And she's got the right background for Ninja. She did both gymnastics and track in college.
00:15She earned all-American honors for gymnastics at Springfield College in Massachusetts.
00:20She's through the floating steps.
00:23That gymnastics background should help her here on the double twister.
00:29Gymnast definitely seemed more comfortable in this type of obstacle.
00:32You can see, just knows how to control her body as she swings.
00:36Gets it.
00:39Now just needs the dismount.
00:42And she sticks it.
00:44And this crowd wanting to see the first woman get through the ring jump tonight.
00:50Remember, this is the obstacle that took her out last year.
00:54Last year, she jumped forward and failed.
00:56This time, going with a backwards approach.
01:00She's been training a lot with her boyfriend, Joe.
01:02Going to the Ninja Gym three or four times a week.
01:05Turn and grab. Come on.
01:07You got it, Abby.
01:09And it's paying off.
01:11Now we get into the set.
01:13Switching to the forward approach here.
01:16Clearly has a game plan for the obstacle this year.
01:22She's only five foot three.
01:23She's going to need to generate a big swing for this dismount.
01:28And she's done it.
01:30Abby Clark, the first woman to get past the ring jump tonight.
01:36Abby Clark now facing the Diamond Dash.
01:40Three, four, five, five, five, five.
01:42At Springfield College, she's a national champion on the balance beam.
01:46She's got this.
01:48Oh, oh, oh, oh.
01:49Body sets the safety.
01:52That was the best save of the night.
01:55This crowd started to believe in Abby Clark.
01:58And I think she's starting to believe.
02:01You never know.
02:03But wouldn't it be remarkable
02:04if this sophomore could get through the battery ram?
02:08This is a tough obstacle for everyone,
02:11but especially the short of competitors.
02:13Not easy to wrap your arms around the cylinder.
02:16Clark, five, three.
02:17And she makes the swing to the second cylinder.
02:20Uh-oh, her hands are slipping.
02:21She's got to get a big hug on it.
02:23Big hug.
02:23Go for it.
02:24Go for it.
02:25Ooh.
02:26Ooh.
02:27Where'd she come from?
02:30Abby Clark.
02:32This special education teacher
02:35is putting on a clinic.
02:37Dear Abby is writing history of Ninja Warrior
02:41because she's going to be the first female
02:42to get through this.
02:44Are you kidding me?
02:46Only a few feet away from her first work wall,
02:49and she's done it.
02:53Oh, my.
02:55This is why this sport is so great.
02:58Always unpredictable.
02:59Five women have hit a buzzer so far this season,
03:03and there's one of them, Michelle Warkin,
03:05who did it in Philadelphia.
03:07Abby Clark trying to join the elite.
03:11Abby Clark, 14 and a half feet away
03:13from hitting a buzzer.
03:14Now, you've got to grab it.
03:15Grab it.
03:16Grab it.
03:16Get up there.
03:17Oh, so close.
03:19Just inches away,
03:21and she gets two more attempts.
03:23Look up and go grab it.
03:25Come on, Abby.
03:26Don't get yours.
03:27Abby, go get it.
03:29And get it.
03:30Come on, get it.
03:30Come on.
03:31Oh!
03:32One more tip.
03:33One more tip.
03:34And what must be going through her mind right now?
03:37A bit of frustration,
03:38but still has the opportunity
03:40to dig deep for the final attempt.
03:41You're literally missing it by this much.
03:43Big steps on this wall.
03:44Come on.
03:44Her boyfriend coaching her up.
03:46Keep that wall.
03:47Keep that wall.
03:48Keep that wall.
03:48This is it.
03:49One shot.
03:5014 and a half feet.
03:52Come on, Abby.
03:53Keep that wall.
03:54Keep that wall.
03:5424 years old.
03:55Can she do it?
03:56This letter's about to be signed.
03:58See it?
03:59Let me know you.
04:00Let me know you.
04:01Let me know you.
04:02Let me know you're talking about it.
04:05Unbelievable.
04:07I feel you.
04:08I feel you.
04:10Oh my goodness.
04:12Only a select group of women have ever hit a buzzer in qualifying,
04:16and Abby Clark just joined them.
04:19I feel like you're empowering him if you're going to come out here for the final attempt to be
