Algs in Ankeny 2025

Inside the competition room at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the environment was defined by rapid-fire solving and steady focus. The tables were set for a busy day of action, where timers beeped and plastic mechanisms clicked at high intensity. A total of 68 competitors gathered in Ankeny, Iowa, USA on May 24, 2025, bringing diverse solving approaches to a slate of six distinct events across 11 competitive rounds.

While speedcubing disciplines usually emphasize explosive turning speed and instant recognition, the contrast across puzzle categories highlights the broad spectrum of modern cubing. Solvers must balance the rapid instincts needed for the classic Rubik's Cube against the calculated spatial management required on shape-shifting puzzles like Square-1 and the multi-layered geometry of the Megaminx. Every format demanded a tailored mindset throughout the single-day gathering.

Algs in Ankeny 2025 offered a full test across traditional and specialty disciplines. In the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, Brody Rhoades secured victory with a decisive winning average of 8.45 across three rounds of play. Rhoades also delivered the quickest single time of the event at 7.69. Tyler Robinson claimed the second podium spot with an 8.94 average, while Marcus Zook completed the top three with an average of 9.35 in a packed field of 67 entrants searching for top 3x3 results.

The standout individual performance across the board belonged to Nathan Rahn, who secured four individual titles. Rahn captured first place in the 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.23 winning average, leading Marcus Zook at 2.44 and Kian Cline at 2.88. Rahn also took the Square-1 event with a 7.90 average, well clear of Cline at 12.44 and Zook at 12.54, demonstrating exceptional mastery across varied twisty puzzles throughout the WCA competition.

Rahn continued his sweep by securing top honors in both 3x3x3 One-Handed and Pyraminx. In the one-handed event, Rahn posted a winning average of 14.02, ahead of Robinson at 14.66 and Cline at 15.50. The Pyraminx final saw Rahn take gold with an average of 3.23, holding off Chris Van Der Brink with 3.57 and Cline with 3.90. The Megaminx title was claimed by Tyler Robinson, who logged a winning average of 38.36, followed by James Ekins at 47.19 and Rahn at 58.90.

Away from the top steps of the podium, numerous competitors delivered massive personal breakthroughs across multiple disciplines. Tanner James Drapeaux entered four events, posting an 18.92 3x3x3 Cube personal best that was 31.3 percent faster than before, a 2x2x2 personal best of 4.55 that improved by 75.2 percent, and a first ever Megaminx attempt of 2:15.18. Jonah Taylor took on six events, achieving a 20.64 Square-1 personal best that was 57.9 percent faster, a 19.17 One-Handed mark that was 28.5 percent quicker, and a first Megaminx result of 2:49.17.

First-time event entries and milestone drops highlighted the depth of the field. Isaac Drapeaux logged a Pyraminx personal best of 16.53, an improvement of 59.5 percent, alongside a 51.67 3x3x3 personal best and a first 2x2x2 attempt of 14.13. Jack Tims tackled six events, recording initial official attempts in Square-1 at 1:28.13, One-Handed at 1:11.85, and Megaminx at 3:55.18. Jude Larson made first official attempts in Pyraminx with 13.64, Megaminx with 6:32.27, and 2x2x2 with 12.71, while Carsten Geisler posted inaugural marks in 2x2x2 at 10.93, Megaminx at 6:03.24, and Pyraminx at 13.15. Aaron Anderson completed four events with debuts in Pyraminx at 9.46, One-Handed at 59.95, and 2x2x2 at 4.59. Austin Sabers tackled five events, setting a 2x2x2 personal best of 2.73, an improvement of 23.7 percent, alongside a first Square-1 attempt of 32.85.

Debut appearances also marked a successful introduction to organized speed cubing for several newcomers. First-time competitors Austin D. Carmody, Juliet Welsh, Aarnav Nalamachu, and Eli Dickinson completed their opening official appearances across multiple puzzle types. Every podium place at the competition was captured by competitors representing the United States, wrapping up a memorable chapter of play in the 2025 calendar.

As the tables were packed and the stopwatches stored away, Algs in Ankeny 2025 concluded having demonstrated the breadth of puzzle solving across all age groups and categories. From lightning-fast 2x2x2 sprints to complex twelve-sided Megaminx solves, the cubing competition celebrated technical precision and steady progression across the board.