IL Firefighters Competing on 'American Ninja Warrior'

Two Chicago-area firefighters will compete in the city finals of NBC's "American Ninja Warrior" next week.

Known as the Towers of Power, Brandon Mears, a Streamwood firefighter/paramedic from St. Charles, and Dan Polizzi, an Aurora firefighter/paramedic from Oswego, were among more than 100 athletes who participated in the city qualifying round last month in Cincinnati. They finished in the top 30, advancing to the city finals Monday.

At 37, the firefighters are older than most of the other competitors. But Mears and Polizzi have been individually competing on the show for seven seasons, and have made it to the Las Vegas nationa finals, although never in the same season. If the Towers of Power can finish in the top 12 of the city finals, they will compete in the national finals together for the first time to try to take home the $1 million grand prize.

The city finals of "American Ninja Warrior" airs at 8 p.m. EST Monday, Aug. 19.