Son's Memory Propels Ellington Resident to 'Ninja Warrior' Appearance

ELLINGTON, CT — Ellington's Sarah Killeen Poulin will be competing in Cleveland, OH, on this season's edition of the hit show "American Ninja Warrior."

Poulin is a mother of three and her interest in competing on the show began when her 5-year-old son, Jacob Roger Poulin, passed away on Oct. 1.

Jacob was a huge fan of the show and wanted to compete in it one day. He believed everyone was going to hit the buzzer at the end of the obstacle course and would be genuinely upset for those that came up short and landed in the water.

Jacob was diagnosed with brain cancer in early April of 2016, less than a month before his fifth birthday. He lost his battle with the disease after a six-month fight before passing on his father Steve's birthday.

After Jacob died, Sarah and Steve started the Jacob Roger Poulin Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a park in Ellington in Jacob's memory.

Plans include a playscape with American Ninja Warrior type obstacles for all ages and an outdoor hockey rink.

Hockey was Jacob's other love and he was a promising youth player.

Sarah said she heard about the Real Life Ninja Academy in Windsor when her friend, Elizabeth Bartholomew, mentioned hearing a commercial on the radio for the grand opening of Drew Drechsel's gym in mid-January.

Sarah attended the first class and talked with coaches about her goal of eventually competing on the show. She submitted a video and application for this season and continued to train every Monday and Wednesday at the evening adult drop-in classes.

Sarah said she was at the gym on April 3 when she received the official call from Ninja Warrior inviting her to compete in Cleveland on May 8.

Check out www.RealLifeNinjaAcademy.com for more information.

The JRPF is working closely with the town of Ellington to finalize plans for the park. The park is proposed for a section of unused land at 63 Pinney St.

Visit www.JRPF.org to make a donation or for more information about the park.

Sarah and the JRPF can be followed on Instagram via jacobrogerpoulinfoundation and sspoulin23, respectively.

Photo Credit: Poulin Family