Three months into the 10th season of "American Ninja Warrior," some of the mighty veteran athletes have taken unexpected falls. But others have thrived and survived, including two New Jersey natives who have competed on multiple seasons of NBC's hit competition show: Jamie Rahn and Chris Wilczewski.

Rahn and Wilczewski both grew up in South Jersey, both moved out of state to open ninja training gyms, and both earned a trip to the 2018 national finals after plowing their way through all of the grueling obstacles at the Philadelphia city finals on Aug. 13.

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The two Ninja stars will be joined by Camden County occupational therapist Rachael Goldstein, Gloucester County auctioneer Judas Licciardello and former college gymnast Abby Clark of Morris County.

The first stage of the national finals -- taped in Las Vegas earlier this summer -- will air on NBC on Monday, Aug. 27, and Monday, Sept. 3. The remaining stages will air on Sept. 10, the season finale.

Contestants have to successfully complete four stages of difficult obstacles to win the grand prize of $1 million.

In the show's 10-year history, only two athletes have ever finished all four stages -- both during the same season. And only the one with the fastest time went home with the million-dollar prize.

Ninja dreams shattered

Four other Ninja contestants with New Jersey ties advanced to the city finals this summer but fell short in their quest for the national finals:

Michael Torres, a young carpenter who recently moved out of New Jersey to take on a ninja training job in Chicago. The Atlantic County native slipped on the eighth of 10 obstacles at the Minneapolis city finals on Aug. 20. He ended up in 16th place, just one spot shy of qualifying for the nationals.

Darion Bennett, a Ninja instructor, mold technician and restaurant server from Mercer County, fell into the water on the fourth obstacle -- the giant Wingnuts -- at the Philadelphia city finals on Aug. 13.

Paul Ruggeri, a former World Cup gymnast and gymnastics coach from Hudson County, also landed in the water on the fourth obstacle at the Philadelphia city finals.

Cara Poalillo, a podcaster and sign language interpreter from Bergen County, had an unexpected slip on the first obstacle -- the Archer Steps -- at the Philadelphia city finals.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.