Idaho Freeze Dried 2023

Cade Beck delivered a commanding double victory in the big cube categories to punctuate Idaho Freeze Dried 2023, taking the top spot in both the 6x6x6 Cube and 7x7x7 Cube events. The single-day speedcubing gathering took place on January 14, 2023, bringing 69 competitors together for an intense schedule of eleven rounds across six distinct disciplines. Staged inside the Idaho State University Pond Student Union Building in Pocatello, Idaho, USA, the gathering tested speed, precision, and endurance from early morning scrambles to the final podium announcements.

The smoothly run tournament owed its success to the focused team of organizers, delegates, and dedicated volunteers who managed the floor throughout the entire day. Running six separate events in one venue required seamless timing, quick score entry, and diligent judging across all eleven rounds of competition. Their steady leadership kept stations cycling without delay, allowing both seasoned contenders and brand-new participants to focus entirely on their solves during this regional cubing competition.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew the largest field of the weekend, with 69 competitors battling across three rounds to determine the podium. Isaac Buck claimed the championship title with a winning average of 10.28 seconds, backed by a best single solve of 9.64 seconds. Rustin Haderlie secured the second spot with a 10.55 average, while Isaac Myers finished third with a mark of 10.79 seconds. The tight margins throughout the final round delivered exciting 3x3 results for the spectators watching the classic Rubik's Cube category.

The larger puzzles showcased Beck at his very best, sweeping both single-round events on the schedule. In the 6x6x6 Cube, Beck logged a winning average of 2:12.66 and a best single of 2:10.34 to finish ahead of Jarry Tapia Vasquez of Peru, who took second in 2:29.49, and Jack Martin in third at 2:34.48. Beck followed up in the 7x7x7 Cube by recording a 3:12.81 winning average with a 3:11.05 single, once again finishing clear of Tapia Vasquez at 3:38.56 and Isaac Buck at 4:04.94.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors turned in remarkable personal breakthroughs that highlighted the depth of the field. Dallen Gertsch produced a massive leap on Skewb, securing a personal best of 5.80 seconds that was 69 percent faster than their previous mark of 18.72 seconds, while also entering four events. Walter Redd achieved a 61 percent improvement on Pyraminx with a new best of 10.39 seconds, down from 26.67 seconds, and reduced their 2x2x2 Cube mark by 54 percent to 10.45 seconds. Colt Gertsch took on five events and posted a 3.45-second Skewb best, an improvement of 58.4 percent over their former 8.29-second record, alongside a first career 6x6x6 Cube attempt of 4:38.10. Dustin Hardisty also took massive strides, cutting their 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 47.6 percent down to 9.32 seconds.

The day also welcomed new milestones and career debuts across the board at Idaho Freeze Dried 2023. Kasey Bell tackled three events and dropped their Pyraminx personal best by 44.8 percent to 12.19 seconds while trimming their 3x3x3 mark to 19.16 seconds. Joshua Benson Williams took on six different events, logging a 37.9 percent drop on Skewb to 5.00 seconds alongside debut solves on the 6x6x6 Cube in 3:47.11 and the 7x7x7 Cube in 7:21.64. Liam Purcell made a first tournament appearance in Skewb with a 5.92 single while lowering their 3x3x3 mark by 36.9 percent to 21.49 seconds. Dennis W. Hall attended their very first WCA competition, tackling four events with debut singles of 13.52 in Pyraminx, 11.74 in Skewb, and 23.36 in the 3x3x3 Cube.

In the 2x2x2 Cube, Graham Kaplan captured first place with a 4.05 winning average, edging out Nathan Barbre at 4.14 seconds and Samuel Baird at 4.16 seconds in an exceptionally close final. The Pyraminx bracket saw Rustin Haderlie top the standings with a 5.04 average and a 4.07 single across two rounds, followed by Damian Wilding in second with 6.22 seconds and Cade Beck in third with an 8.00 average. Ace Schembri claimed the Skewb title, logging an average of 4.24 seconds with a 3.32 single, finishing ahead of Haderlie at 5.48 and Myers at 5.57.

The final medal count for the weekend saw competitors representing the USA collect sixteen podium places alongside two earned by Peru. From the earliest heats to the concluding ceremonies, the volunteer crew ensured that Idaho Freeze Dried 2023 ran with efficiency and precision. As the speed cubing calendar progresses through 2023, the community in Pocatello delivered a well-managed showcase of talent across every puzzle size.