Kansas Holiday Cube-Off AM 2023

36.30 seconds was all it took for Aaron Huynh to conquer the largest puzzle on the schedule, capturing the 4x4x4 Cube title and setting the tone for a commanding showing in Andover, Kansas, USA. Across eight rounds of competition on December 2, 2023, the gathering at Hope Community Church highlighted the demanding endurance and layered lookahead required as puzzles grow in size. Stepping up from smaller mechanical challenges to complex multi-layered cubes tests every ounce of a solver's spatial mastery, and this single-day speedcubing clash brought that pressure straight to the tables.

The 4x4x4 Cube drew 17 competitors, demanding sharp focus through center building, edge pairing, and rapid 3x3 stage execution. Aaron Huynh delivered the standout performance of the event, locking down a winning average of 36.30 seconds and the fastest single solve of the round at 30.31 seconds. Madalen Tanner maintained steady consistency across the single-round format to claim second place with a 39.99 average, while Liam O'Leary rounded out the podium in third at 42.39 seconds. It was a rigorous test of speed cubing efficiency, proving that mastery over larger hardware requires distinct pacing.

Beyond the big layers, Aaron Huynh continued his winning streak across the shorter formats at Kansas Holiday Cube-Off AM 2023. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Huynh navigated two full rounds of action among 25 competitors to claim the title with a 3.26 average, bolstered by a 2.19 best single. Madalen Tanner pushed hard in the finals, taking the runner-up spot with a 3.47 average, while Jaxon Wright secured third place at 4.64 seconds. Huynh added another top finish in the first round of the event, recording an exceptional 1.68 single and a 2.91 average.

The Pyraminx event featured 22 competitors and saw Aaron Huynh complete his triple-crown victory of the day. Huynh registered a 3.21 winning average alongside a tournament-best single of 2.53 seconds across two rounds. Jaxon Wright climbed onto his second podium of the meet, finishing second with an average of 3.78 seconds. Madalen Tanner delivered another dependable finals display to secure third place with a 5.51 mark, ensuring USA competitors swept every available podium position throughout the entire cubing competition program.

Specialized disciplines brought a different variety of mechanical challenges to the floor, beginning with the dynamic Skewb event where Dominic Brungardt emerged victorious. Facing a field of 20 competitors over two rounds, Brungardt clinched first place with a 4.43 winning average and a 4.23 single. Dylan Buie took the silver step with an average of 5.96 seconds, edging past Aaron Huynh who secured third at 5.99 seconds. In the Square-1 event, Michael S. Lander led the 8-competitor field with an average of 13.87 seconds and a 11.10 single, ahead of Trenton Cuzick in second at 23.09 and Dominic Brungardt in third at 31.11.

The real heart of the tournament emerged through the personal progress logged by competitors across the full schedule of events. William Michael Proctor produced one of the most remarkable leaps of the day in the 2x2x2 Cube, cutting his personal best by 58.7 percent down to 4.77 seconds while also notching a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 5.55 seconds and an 11th-place finish in 4x4x4 Cube. Ryan Standifer unlocked massive gains as well, slicing 47.2 percent off his Skewb personal best with a 27.54 solve and trimming his 2x2x2 best to 3.59 seconds. Ryan Houck completed a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube in 2:19.78 and cut his 2x2x2 personal best by 44.3 percent to 5.13 seconds.

Other dedicated solvers embraced new puzzles with impressive versatility. Brayden Oetting tackled a full slate of five events, delivering a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 9.48 seconds, a first ever attempt at Square-1 in 1:07.99, and a first ever attempt at Skewb in 11.23 seconds to earn a personal best finish of 7th in Square-1. Steven Shi also took on five events, achieving a best finish of 4th in Pyraminx while logging a first ever attempt at Skewb in 8.20 seconds, Pyraminx in 5.72, and Square-1 in 49.63. Colson Frederick Proctor recorded a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 6.27 seconds, Brody Ewing lowered his 2x2x2 single by 36.5 percent to 3.77 seconds, and Nash Bird dropped his 4x4x4 best by 28.2 percent down to 2:09.86.

Every round in Andover demonstrated the comprehensive skills required across modern Rubik's Cube variants and WCA competition categories. While fans regularly follow standard 3x3 results across the global circuit, this weekend placed the spotlight on multi-stage solving, specialty twisty puzzles, and the distinct stamina required for larger cubes. With all 15 podium places earned by domestic solvers, Kansas Holiday Cube-Off AM 2023 delivered a memorable showcase of focused speedcubing excellence to close out the 2023 competitive calendar.