Connecticut Spring 2023

114 competitors gathered at the University of Connecticut for a packed single-day showdown on May 13, 2023. Staged in Storrs, Connecticut, USA, Connecticut Spring 2023 brought twelve rounds of intense competition across six official events. For seasoned speedcubing veterans and rising contenders alike, the tournament offered a prime stage to demonstrate composure under the timer. The energy across the floor was palpable from the very first turns of the morning, setting the tone for an exceptional display of dexterity and technical mastery.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a massive field of 112 competitors through three demanding stages of play. Veteran competitor Nipun Kisari demonstrated clinical consistency to capture the title, securing top honors with a decisive 7.68 winning average and a best single time of 7.07. Gabriel Garber Burd pushed the pace all the way to the final solves, finishing runner-up with a 7.79 average, while Cameron Soulagnet claimed third place with an average of 8.10. The high-caliber 3x3 results highlighted the extraordinary depth of talent present at this WCA competition.

Cameron Soulagnet emerged as one of the standout figures of Connecticut Spring 2023 by sweeping the big cube categories. In the 5x5x5 Cube, which featured 50 competitors over two rounds, Soulagnet captured the championship with a winning average of 55.98 and a best single of 55.15. Evan Liu took the silver medal with an average of 59.23, followed by Brandon Delacruz in third with 1:02.94. Soulagnet replicated this commanding form in the 7x7x7 Cube final, taking victory with a 2:24.90 average ahead of Liu at 2:46.92 and Delacruz at 2:54.19.

Short-format specialist Curtis Chai delivered exceptional speed in both the 2x2x2 Cube and Pyraminx disciplines. Chai stormed to victory in the 2x2x2 Cube event among 95 contenders across two rounds, averaging a blistering 1.94 alongside an event-best 1.57 single. Nipun Kisari placed second with an average of 2.44, and Viktor Pearl claimed third with 2.59. Chai continued his winning streak in the Pyraminx final, navigating the triangular puzzle to secure first place with a 2.86 average. Pearl finished second in Pyraminx with a 3.39 average, while Evan Liu earned bronze with 3.73.

In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Justin Mallari exhibited remarkable finger control and focus to take the championship among 58 competitors. Mallari recorded a winning average of 12.18 along with a sharp 10.70 best single. Kisari added another podium finish to his weekend tally by taking second place with an average of 12.84, while Garber Burd secured third place with 14.24. The event showcased the technical adaptability demanded by single-handed speed cubing at the highest competitive level.

Beyond the championship podiums, the cubing competition served as a showcase for breakthrough performances from dedicated participants. Elrod Yulchiev achieved a massive personal best in the 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 4.55, which was 49.1 percent faster than their previous mark, alongside a 27.46 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube and a first ever attempt at Pyraminx of 12.63. Owen Lyons lowered their Pyraminx best by 44.7 percent down to 7.16, while also taking on five events and trimming their 3x3x3 One-Handed mark to 22.57. Asher Caden Pereyra improved their 2x2x2 Cube best by 41.9 percent to 3.06, improved their 3x3x3 best to 15.82, and logged a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube of 2:47.60. Josh Sanderson took on six events, finishing 22nd in the 7x7x7 Cube with a first attempt of 7:32.59, while improving their Pyraminx best by 40 percent to 5.64 and dropping their 5x5x5 Cube mark to 1:51.88.

The progress continued across the venue as more competitors embraced new challenges on the official stage. Seth Downs improved their 2x2x2 Cube best by 29.4 percent to 5.17, dropped their 3x3x3 Cube mark to 19.83, and completed a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 10.51. Aaron Glasser recorded an 8.19 in Pyraminx for a 26.3 percent improvement, lowered their 3x3x3 Cube best to 15.04, and made a first ever 5x5x5 Cube attempt of 3:43.04 across five entered events. Teddy Hsu lowered their 2x2x2 Cube best by 23.9 percent to 3.22 while logging first attempts in Pyraminx at 7.28 and 5x5x5 Cube at 2:43.93. Darragh Cronin dropped their 3x3x3 Cube best by 20.4 percent to 12.72 and completed first attempts in Pyraminx at 5.21 and One-Handed at 49.29.

All eighteen available podium positions were secured by competitors representing the United States, capping a dominant performance by the domestic delegation. The event provided an exhilarating showcase of classic Rubik's Cube mastery and specialized puzzle disciplines, with veteran competitors proving their enduring skill across every round. As the final times were verified, Connecticut Spring 2023 concluded as a memorable celebration of competitive excellence and individual progress in Storrs.