TOWSON, Md. – Towson University gymnastics alum Kacy Catanzaro has been making history on the TV show American Ninja Warrior this season. Catanzaro became the first female to ever scale the 14-foot warped wall and the first female to ever complete a city finals course.

Her success on the city course earned her a trip to Mt. Midoriyama, the finals course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Catanzaro's run on the finals course will air on NBC tonight at 9 p.m.

Catanzaro was in Towson this past weekend and she was recognized at halftime of the Towson football game. After she was recognized, she sat down with TowsonTigers.com to answer a few questions.

1. Do you feel nervous at all when competing on American Ninja Warrior? It seems like you are always smiling out there.
It's funny, everybody says I look so calm. I definitely am nervous when I step up on the platform. I get really antsy. It's odd though, right when they say "3, 2, 1, go" this wave of relief comes over me. A lot of it though is more excited feelings than nerves. You still have butterflies and it keeps you in check so that you're focused. But I try not to let it overtake me.

2. What makes you nervous about the finals course?
I'm nervous because there is a lot more pressure. When no one knows who you are, it's not that bad. But when people know who you are, big things are expected and it's more pressure. I'm shorter than a lot of the other competitors and there are some big jumps on that course so I'm nervous about that.

3. Has the history that you're making on the show sunk? Or is it something that will not hit you until it's all over? And what will you remember the most about competing on this season?
I think it's starting to hit me. Every time someone stops me for a picture or writes to me, it gets a little more real. It's kind of a dreamlike state right now, but it's cool. All of this season has been unforgettable. What I'll remember the most though is when I finished the "Spider Climb" during the city finals and Brett (her boyfriend) climbed up to give me a hug. It was a dream come true.

4. What advice would you give young kids, especially females, thinking they would like to try this but aren't sure?
That's one of my favorite parts about this. How many people have been touched by this and affected. I love giving the girl power and breaking that boundary. I want the little girls out there to know that just because they are a girl, that doesn't mean they can't do it. Boys are not any better than girls. Girls are strong and fast, and I want young girls to know that.

5. How much did your gymnastics career at Towson help prepare you for this?
Everything in my gymnastics career helped me prepare for this. The strength and agility, flexibility and the upper body strength from my time being a gymnst at Towson have all been critical. I think the mental aspect was key too. Learning how to compete on the big stage with all the people and the pressure as a gymnast has been huge. Another big factor is learning how to keep your mind under control so your body does what you want it to.

6. I have to ask, what's up with the high crazy colored socks that you wear to compete?
I love the high socks! I like wearing shorts a lot and sometimes you need to cover up a little more skin. The shorts and high socks balance each other out. The socks are just a lot of fun too. People comment about it and that makes it fun. I like bold and animal prints the most!


-TowsonTigers.com-