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She's Labeled the Perky Gladiator: Annie Castellano Friday, July 11 2008

Some have called Annie Castellano pipsqueak or pint size. But I'm not sure I would advise that? She’s now calling herself “Baby Bear.” She says that'll do for now. And if she keeps up her streak, Annie could be calling herself something else - a winner. Castellano, 20, made it through her first round match-up on “American Gladiators” on Monday night July 7, 2008. And by finishing the final challenge with one of the four best times this season - 3 minutes flat - she guaranteed herself a spot in the show’s semifinals.

It wasn’t easy, but the 4-foot, 11-inch girl from Boston, whose parents own The Capri Fish House restaurant on Isles of Capri, jumped, swung and climbed her way to the next round. Although she only successfully completed one event in the first part of the show (and scored one point in another contest), Castellano held a minor lead over her opponent, a 52-year-old stock broker. But that didn’t matter as she quickly jumped out in front in her final challenge - the infamous Eliminator. She will have to do better, though, if she wants to compete for the title and reign supreme. The best time for a woman this season is almost a whole minute faster, which is a lot of ground to make up in the semifinals for Annie.