Computer Engineering and Mathematics Junior Kevin Merrick Competes in “Team Ninja Warrior: College Madness”

Three UMD students, including ECE’s Kevin Merrick, will compete in NBC’s new show, “Team Ninja Warrior: College Madness,” a spin-off of the popular “American Ninja Warrior.”

James Smoliga, sports performance and injury prevention researcher at High Point University in North Carolina, observed in an Inside Science article announcing the episode that “by understanding the principles of engineering or physics or biomechanics, I think you can get through a Ninja Warrior obstacle most efficiently, and maximize your chances of actually achieving it.”

The trio stressed though that science isn’t a substitute for training, and that technique and being able to gain momentum is just as important. “The big problem is endurance and making sure you have the energy to go from obstacle to obstacle,” said Merrick. “The only real solution is: Train it harder.”

Read the entire article in Inside Science as well as another article in The Baltimore Sun.

The episode is set to air on December 13^th, 2016 at 8:00 pm EST on the Esquire Network. The trio will compete against Wisconsin in the obstacle course competition.

Published December 12, 2016