Eric Middleton

**Eric Middleton**, nicknamed "**The Bug Ninja**", is an Entomologist from Winter Haven, Florida (formerly St. Paul, Minnesota), who has studied at the University of Minnesota. Middleton has always developed an uncanny interest for insects, and encourages people to change many believed perceptions about them to the public. He is also known for bringing edible bugs that Matt and Akbar would eat if Middleton hits a buzzer.

## American Ninja Warrior 8

Middleton first competed in Indianapolis in American Ninja Warrior 8. His run in qualifying was cut, but he finished the course with the 9th fastest time of the night.

In the city finals, Eric was one of the many competitors that failed the Hourglass Drop. Just like in qualifying, he placed 9th overall and advanced to the national finals.

His run on Stage 1 was digested, but it was shown that he timed out on the Flying Squirrel seconds before losing his grip.

## American Ninja Warrior 9

Eric returned to compete in Kansas City in American Ninja Warrior 9, where his qualifying run was cut. It was revealed that he failed the Bar Hop, placing 17th overall and advancing to the city finals. His city finals run was also digested, but it was shown that he failed the Floating Monkey Bars, placing 4th and making his second trip to the national finals.

Eric's run on Stage 1 was cut, but it was revealed that he got revenge on the Flying Squirrel and finished Stage 1 with 23.52 seconds remaining. In his first trip in stage 2, he failed the Wave Runner.

## American Ninja Warrior 10

In American Ninja Warrior 10, Eric returned in Minneapolis. As a confident representative of his home state, he placed a bet with Matt and Akbar, in which the announcers would have to eat a tempura-fried tarantula if Middleton were to finish the qualifying course.

Confident about winning his bet, Middleton flew through the course at a brisk pace. He became the first finisher of the night and not only moved on to the city finals, but also won his bet. He finished 2nd overall, just behind Joe Moravsky.

Middleton hinted after his qualifying run about placing another bet during city finals, this time on Kristine Leahy. True to his word, he placed another bet with Kristine Leahy, in which she would have to eat a mealworm lollipop if he finished the city finals course. His run was digested, but it was shown that he made it to the Iron Maiden, an obstacle he barely missed out on attempting last year in Kansas City. He failed by slipping off the bottom of the first panel. Becuase of his fall, he ate the lollipop during his interview. Despite being losing his bet, he still placed 7th overall and made his third straight trip to the national finals.

In Stage 1, Eric made another bet with Matt and Akbar- if he cleared the course, they each would have to eat a scorpion. He cleared with 16.16 seconds left, leaving Matt and Akbar to eat the glazed scorpion.

His run on Stage 2 was digested, but it was shown that he failed Deja Vu, broke his nose, and Matt and Akbar avoided eating fried worms.

## American Ninja Warrior 11

Middleton returned for American Ninja Warrior 11 in Oklahoma City. In qualifying, his run was digested, but it was shown that he had cockroaches for sideline reporter Zuri Hall to eat if he hit the buzzer. However, in a huge shock, he failed the dismount on the Fly Wheels. This is the first time that he failed to qualify for the national finals, let alone the city finals. Zuri was very relieved, as she gladly placed the cover back on Eric's cockroach dish.

## American Ninja Warrior 13

After missing out on American Ninja Warrior 12, Middleton returned to compete in the last qualifying episode in American Ninja Warrior 13. His qualifying run was mostly cut, but he was briefly shown at the end in the Akbar Gbaja-Biamila moments. This time, he placed a bet to have both Matt and Akbar eat a hornworm caprese salad if he finished the course. He redeemed himself his early fall from season 11 by once again clearing the qualifying course, despite failing to scale up the Mega Wall. Not only did both Matt and Akbar eat the hornworm caprese, but Middleton moved on to the semifinals in 11th place.

Eric later competed in the last semifinal episode. This time around, he brought 5 different bug snacks: jollof rice with grasshoppers, Korean Wax Worm pupae, bee bread, cricket cookies, and tarantula sushi - one for every obstacle that Middleton intended on clearing, starting with the Warped Wall. He nearly failed on the dismount of Crazy Clocks, but recovered and attempted the Diving Boards at Split Decision, being the first one that episode (and overall season) to clear it. Not only he was he successful in having Matt and Akbar eat all 5 bug snacks, but he also cleared his first semifinal course, placing 10th overall and returning to the national finals. His run on Stage One was digested, but he shockingly failed the Jumping Spider (an obstacle that he had cleared every previous time that he advanced to Vegas), ending his season.

## American Ninja Warrior 14

Eric returned for his sixth season in the first qualifying episode. His run was digested, but instead of having Matt and Akbar eat another bug dish, he had someone from the San Antonio zoo join the announcers with a scorpion in his hand. Eric ended up going out on the fifth obstacle, Salmon Roll, and placed 25th overall. He later competed in the third semifinals episode. His run was cut, but it was revealed that he failed on the eighth obstacle, Box Office, and unfortunately didn't make it there fast enough to advance to the national finals, as he placed 17th overall. It is also the first time that his season ended in the semifinals.