Cornhusker Cubing Classic 2025

Inside the event spaces at Graduate by Hilton Lincoln, the rapid plastic click of puzzle mechanisms filled the room as eighty-five competitors gathered for a packed day of speed cubing. Tables hummed with activity across thirteen total rounds, where precision handling and fast finger tricks defined the atmosphere in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. While the standard two-handed solving always brings immense speed, the single-handed discipline demands a completely distinct level of dexterity, table stabilization, and finger endurance. Solving the classic Rubik's Cube with only one hand isolates pure fingertip economy, punishing any unnecessary movement while rewarding disciplined execution under competitive tournament conditions.

The 3x3x3 One-Handed event at Cornhusker Cubing Classic 2025 drew thirty-four participants across two rounds of intense action. Anton Angeletti demonstrated remarkable fingertip control and fluid turn cadence, capturing first place with a winning average of 16.89 seconds alongside a best single of 15.01. Zachary Johnson secured second place on the podium with a 17.62 average, while Jayben Keene finished close behind in third position at 17.69. The technical precision required to execute complex algorithms using only one hand proved to be one of the standout athletic displays of the September 27, 2025 gathering.

Jayben Keene delivered a dominant overall showing across multiple events throughout the cubing competition. In the classic 3x3x3 Cube, which featured eighty-three entrants over three rounds, Keene took the title with a tournament-winning average of 7.82 seconds and a round-best single of 7.13. The 3x3 results saw Anton Angeletti claim the runner-up spot with a sharp 7.99 average, followed by Ethan McClain taking third place with an average of 9.84. Keene also swept the 2x2x2 Cube category, earning victory across seventy-five competitors with an average of 3.00 seconds and a single of 2.03, outpacing Davis Gorman at 3.41 and Drake I. Scott at 3.46.

Ethan McClain also assembled a versatile campaign across the six scheduled events. McClain topped the 4x4x4 Cube standings with a winning average of 34.89 seconds and a single of 31.92, finishing ahead of Zachary Johnson at 35.88 and Jayben Keene at 35.98. McClain doubled his event victories by capturing the Clock title with an average of 5.83 seconds and a single of 4.93, besting Trenton Cuzick who posted a 6.61 average and Chris Van Der Brink who recorded 6.91. McClain concluded his day with podium finishes in four separate disciplines.

The triangular geometry of the Pyraminx saw Chris Van Der Brink claim top honours among sixty competitors. Van Der Brink posted a decisive winning average of 3.81 seconds, backed by a quick 1.77 single. Sam Troxel took the second spot on the podium with an average of 4.34 seconds, while Ethan McClain added to his medal collection by securing third place with an average of 4.49. Every podium place across all six events went to competitors representing the United States, concluding a complete sweep of the top three positions in every discipline.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across the schedule. Paxton Knight delivered one of the weekend's largest breakthroughs, dropping their 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 3.48 seconds, which was 68.7 percent faster than their prior mark of 11.13. Joe Dechant improved significantly in the 2x2x2 Cube by 45.8 percent down to 4.76 seconds. Emery Stollsteimer cut 42.9 percent off their Clock mark with a new personal best of 22.47, while Daniel Jeremiah Acevedo took on four events, setting a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 42.31 seconds that was 41.4 percent faster than before.

Significant gains continued across the board for competitors testing their limits in Lincoln. Bennett Kupzyk tackled five events and lowered their 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 15.91 seconds, an improvement of 37.9 percent. Joshua San Miguel entered six events, securing twelfth place in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a personal best of 26.63 seconds and cutting 32.8 percent off their Pyraminx best at 5.86. Several competitors also embraced new events at this official WCA competition; Thomas Brezenski took on six events and completed their first official attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed in 56.96 seconds, while Kaleb Hake attempted the 4x4x4 Cube for the first time with a mark of 1:17.53.

The day also welcomed several solvers making their official debut in the speedcubing community. First-time competitor Shun Machida contested five events, recording a notable tenth-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed with an opening effort of 27.70 seconds alongside a 3x3x3 Cube debut of 11.15. Luke Seifert also completed their first tournament across six separate events, logging initial marks of 17.60 on the 3x3x3 Cube and 43.84 in the one-handed discipline. These developmental strides highlighted the broad base of talent testing themselves on the official stage.

As the equipment was packed away at Graduate by Hilton Lincoln, Cornhusker Cubing Classic 2025 concluded a full calendar of competitive solving in Lincoln. From the one-handed mastery displayed by Anton Angeletti to the multi-event triumphs of Jayben Keene and Ethan McClain, the 2025 gathering showcased the immense depth across the regional community. With six official disciplines contested, personal records shattered, and new competitors taking their first steps, the tournament served as an emphatic benchmark for the ongoing speedcubing season.