Cube Against Cancer Minnesota 2026

Brian Johnson set the benchmark at the Eagan Community Center on April 11, 2026, delivering a dominant 6.61 winning average and a 5.67 best single to capture the main event title. While that sharp turn at the top of the standings defined the final round, the broader story of Cube Against Cancer Minnesota 2026 unfolded across the entire venue. A gathering of 93 competitors filled the hall in Eagan, Minnesota, USA, turning a single-day schedule of five events and eleven rounds into a celebration of shared enthusiasm, sideline camaraderie, and mutual support across tables.

Beyond the search for personal records, the atmosphere between rounds highlighted why this cubing competition resonated so deeply with its attendees. Between official heats, solvers clustered around practice mats to trade tips on finger tricks, inspect hardware, and compare methods for side events. Speedcubing thrives on these shared moments, where seasoned finalists sit shoulder to shoulder with newcomers exploring new puzzles. That collective spirit fueled a busy schedule that tested puzzle mastery across varied formats, from standard three-layer cubes to specialized events requiring entirely distinct techniques.

The spotlight shone brightly on solvers making substantial personal strides away from the main podium positions. Parker Baltes entered three events and delivered a standout performance in the 3x3x3 Cube, recording a personal best of 12.13 seconds to finish 26.8 percent faster than their previous mark of 16.56, while also logging a first attempt at Skewb of 6.29 and placing 14th. Henry Neuenschwander took on two events, clocking a first Skewb attempt of 16.22 seconds and taking 26.4 percent off their 3x3x3 Cube best with a 35.41. Sophie Yau entered four events and made significant leaps, taking sixth in Skewb with a personal best of 4.07 seconds, which improved by 26.3 percent on their prior 5.52, alongside a first 5x5x5 Cube attempt of 2:30.84. Walter Sanborn entered two events and earned a sixth-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed with an initial effort of 16.97 seconds, while cutting 24 percent from their Skewb best with a 4.33.

First-time official attempts and massive personal gains continued to define the lower rounds for many attendees. Alex Hornbaker tackled four events, setting a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 32.96 seconds that improved by 24.2 percent on their previous 43.46, alongside a first 5x5x5 Cube solve of 2:50.96. Albert Wolkowitz competed across four events, achieving an 18th-place result in 5x5x5 Cube with a first mark of 2:10.98 and a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 14.58 seconds, which was 15.5 percent faster than their former 17.25. Phillip Bachman took on five events, improving their 3x3x3 Cube mark by 15.6 percent with a 22.87 personal best while registering a first 5x5x5 Cube effort of 3:06.53. Making their very first appearance at a WCA competition, Finley Cole stepped up for three events, completing initial official marks of 9.87 in Skewb, 18.95 in the 3x3x3 Cube, and 44.06 in 3x3x3 One-Handed.

In the classic 3x3x3 Cube, the premier test of Rubik's Cube solving, 92 competitors worked through three rounds of qualifying before the final podium took shape. Brian Johnson topped the field with his 6.61 average, closely followed by Carter Kucala with a 6.94 average in second place and Kaius Young taking third with a 6.97 average. The tight margin between second and third underscored the depth of talent present at the event, generating excitement throughout the concluding phase of the main bracket and providing memorable 3x3 results for the local Minnesota community.

The one-handed event presented its own blend of dexterity and lookahead, demanding smooth finger control across three full rounds for 56 competitors. Brian Johnson captured his second victory of the day with an impressive winning average of 9.43 seconds, backed by the best single time of the event at 8.18 seconds. Andy Wong claimed second place with a 12.79 average, while Carter Kucala earned third with a 12.97 mark. This dual victory in two of the day's marquee three-layer disciplines established Johnson as the weekend's most prolific top finisher.

Big cubes and dynamic side puzzles added rich variety to the program, as 47 competitors took on the 5x5x5 Cube and 61 solvers contested the Skewb. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Kaius Young emerged victorious with an average of 50.05 seconds and a leading single of 47.61, finishing ahead of Brian Johnson at 51.64 and Carter Kucala at 59.60. Carter Kucala secured a top spot of his own in Skewb, averaging 2.25 seconds across two rounds and setting the day's best single of 1.78 to beat Brian Johnson, who posted a 3.15, and Tyler Robinson, who rounded out the podium at 3.65.

The mental challenge of the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event drew 23 competitors, requiring complete memorisation before executing the solve under strict blind conditions. Andy Wong produced an extraordinary winning average of 18.24 seconds, highlighted by the day's fastest single blind solve of 17.41 seconds. Kaius Young took second place with a time of 1:17.70, while Caleb Axvig rounded out the top three in 2:53.04 across two rounds of play. The quiet focus demanded by the blindfolded round stood in striking contrast to the lively buzz surrounding the other tables.

As the final timers were packed away, Cube Against Cancer Minnesota 2026 concluded having delivered a full day of energetic speed cubing and meaningful connection. From the 15 podium positions earned by United States competitors to the personal milestones recorded across all five disciplines, the tournament demonstrated the strength of the regional community. Solvers left the Eagan venue with fresh personal bests, newly attempted events under their belts, and renewed motivation to continue practicing as they look ahead to the next season of competition.