Going Fast in Franklin 2023

Ninety-three competitors assembled in Franklin, Tennessee, USA on September 2, 2023, for a high-tempo single-day showdown at Grace Chapel Church. The tournament program packed thirteen rounds across six distinct disciplines into the calendar, demanding quick turnarounds and unyielding consistency from the outset. Seasoned solvers set the pace early, leaning on years of tournament seasoning to handle the intense scheduling. Across every stage, seasoned contenders established control, turning early qualification rounds into a showcase of disciplined execution and technical efficiency.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a large field of ninety-one competitors through three stages of elimination. Nicolás Sánchez demonstrated masterful poise during the final round, locking down the victory with a 6.69 average alongside an event-best single of 6.43. Caleb Chen pushed the pace to claim the runner-up position with a 6.83 average, while Dominic Redisi completed the podium in third place at 7.02. These decisive 3x3 results underlined the exceptional caliber of solving required to lead this premier category.

Sprint-distance solving remained equally sharp in the 2x2x2 Cube division, where eighty-eight solvers battled across three rounds. Matias Marcantoni-Nunez captured the title with a commanding 1.91 average, matching his winning average with a 1.62 best single. Caleb Chen secured his second podium finish of the day by taking second place with a 2.46 mark, while Zifeng Liu of China earned third place with a 2.51 average. The event highlighted explosive turning speed and quick inspection planning in tight competitive margins.

In the 4x4x4 Cube competition, sixty-six entrants took to the tables over two rounds of play. Katie Hull rose to the top of the standings by recording a 28.20 winning average and a swift 26.84 single. Micah Morrison secured second place with a 28.94 average, followed closely by Nicolás Sánchez in third with a 29.82 mark. Hull dynamic handling on the larger layers demonstrated total command through complex center and edge alignments during the final phase.

Side events offered a showcase of varied disciplines, from twisty dodecahedrons to mechanical gear arrangements. Drew Windham captured first place in Clock across two rounds with a 6.58 average and a 5.15 single, besting Roman Wofford at 6.71 and Katie Hull at 7.60. In Megaminx, Jared Stinson paced a field of forty-five entrants with a 39.00 winning average, finishing ahead of Owen Morrison at 42.68 and Micah Morrison at 52.50. Micah Morrison then earned top honors in Square-1, recording an 8.12 average to lead Weston Todd at 10.39 and Dominic Redisi at 10.50.

Beyond the championship podiums, several solvers achieved major milestones across multiple events. Nikita Bukhanistyi tackled six separate events, recording a first official attempt at Square-1 with a 41.84 and a first Megaminx result of 3:06.69, while improving his Clock personal best to 14.49, which was 52.6 percent faster than his prior mark. William Andrew Koch also took on six disciplines, registering his first Square-1 mark at 41.86 and first Megaminx finish at 2:37.56, while cutting his Clock best to 13.09, an improvement of 50.5 percent. Stratton Kellman completed four events, notching first attempts in Clock at 17.52, 4x4x4 Cube at 1:05.48, and 2x2x2 Cube at 3.46. David Scott entered six categories, posting first attempts of 26.84 in Square-1 and 19.75 in Clock while dropping his Megaminx best to 1:36.32, an advance of 48.7 percent.

Other dedicated competitors made significant progress across the schedule. Joel Pinzur logged four events, posting first attempts of 5.66 in 2x2x2 Cube and 26.68 in Square-1 alongside a Clock personal best of 10.06 that was 36.8 percent faster. Brodie Glass tackled three events, achieving first marks in Clock at 32.11 and 2x2x2 Cube at 3.04 while slashing his 3x3x3 Cube best to 13.65, a 36.2 percent improvement. Fox Weatherman completed four events, posting first marks of 2.74 in 2x2x2 Cube, 1:19.44 in 4x4x4 Cube, and 2:00.10 in Megaminx. Matthew Rodriguez contested three categories, logging a first 4x4x4 Cube time of 1:00.53, while setting a 3x3x3 Cube best of 14.06, 40.8 percent faster, and a 2x2x2 Cube best of 4.16, 23.9 percent faster.

The breadth of talent on display at Going Fast in Franklin 2023 demonstrated the enduring strength of the regional community. From the foundational challenge of the classic Rubik's Cube to intricate mechanical puzzles, competitors demonstrated the dedication required to excel in modern speedcubing. As the day concluded, the gathered field proved that structured speed cubing tournaments continue to elevate performance standards across all levels of play.

With thirteen rounds completed, this memorable WCA competition celebrated experienced leaders and hard-working solvers alike. Each round offered tangible proof of technical refinement, steady nerves, and focused problem solving under strict competition conditions. Participants now look forward to building upon these benchmarks as they prepare for the next cubing competition on the schedule.