American Ninja Warrior 2015 Results: Recap from August 31 Episode

American Ninja Warrior hit Las Vegas during Monday's episode for the season's first finals show with the top competitors from the city qualifying rounds stepping into the spotlight. In all, 16 ninjas finished the obstacle course and earned a spot in the second stage of the four-stage finals.

Nobody has ever claimed the $1 million prize at Mount Midoriyama in the show's history, but the dream is still alive for Monday's best performers. Here is a look at those still in the running:

Place	Competitor	Time	Obstacle
1	Kevin Bull	1:40.26	Finished
2	Daniel Gil	1:51.56	Finished
3	Flip Rodriguez	2:01.14	Finished
4	Travis Rosen	2:04.14	Finished
5	Geoff Britten	2:05.34	Finished
6	Brian Arnold	2:07.15	Finished
7	Neil Craver	2:07.16	Finished
8	Jo Jo Bynum	2:07.17	Finished
9	Mike Bernardo	2:11.86	Finished
10	Brian Wilczewski	2:13.63	Finished
11	Abel Gonzalez	2:14.50	Finished
12	Ryan Stratis	2:15.21	Finished
13	Dustin McKinney	2:22.52	Finished
14	Kevin Klein	2:25.44	Finished
15	Tremayne Dortch	2:28.03	Finished
16	David Yarter	2:29.48	Finished

American Ninja Warrior gave fans a glimpse at just how challenging Monday's course was for those competitors. It is no wonder only 16 made it through:    

It is clear there were a number of difficult obstacles standing in the way of a chance at the $1 million, but the Propeller Bar was particularly painful in the early going, as the show pointed out: 

One person who did not have trouble with the Propeller Bar was Michelle Warnky. She powered her way through the challenge and turned in an impressive performance, although she did not do enough to remain in the competition. American Ninja Warrior shared her solid efforts on that Propeller Bar:

While Warnky was notable, nobody topped Flip Rodriguez in the early going. Rodriguez blew through the course on the way to the fastest run of the evening and did more than enough to reach the second stage. He may have been one of the best performers on the actual course, but he was quickly overshadowed by a moment outside the competition.

Crowd favorite Ben Melick, who goes by the nickname "Tarzan" and even dresses like the character when competing, failed on the Sonic Curve. Rather than wallow in that disappointment, he took the moment to propose to his girlfriend. 

Engagement is not a bad consolation prize following a disappointing effort on the Las Vegas course. The show shared the moment: 

Back on the course, Jessie Graff made history even in a losing effort. She became the second woman to ever make it through the Jumping Spider. While she ultimately fell short at the Warped Wall, the show passed along her triumphant moment from the difficult earlier obstacle:

Graff discussed her position as one of the most successful women in American Ninja Warrior's extended run, per Hannah Schoenbaum of the Los Angeles Times HS Insider:

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“Though I’m just beginning to learn what it means to be a role model for women, I really want to share one message: being strong doesn’t make you manly or unfeminine. It just means you can do more things,” Graff said. “It builds confidence and self reliance and opens all kinds of pathways and opportunities.”

“I don’t want people to think of womanhood as a handicap. We can do anything.”

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Graff was inspiring, but the show saved the best performance for last Monday.

Kevin Bull steamrolled his way through the obstacles in an energetic outing and turned in the fastest time. American Ninja Warrior passed along images from Bull's run:

Monday was only Stage 1 in the finals, but Bull was impressive and set the tone for the rest of the competition. Nobody has ever won the ultimate prize, but it is not difficult to envision the lively ninja racing through future obstacles with a speed and strength combination that is tough to beat and necessary to advance.

He took the first step toward $1 million in Monday's episode.