KCKC 7 Big and Awkward 2025

Inside the Lone Jack Civic Center - Hensley Hall, tables stood lined with timers, mats, and an array of complex mechanical puzzles. The venue buzzed with focused energy as fifty solvers gathered on February 1, 2025, ready to tackle a lineup dedicated to larger layers and unconventional mechanisms. In Lone Jack, Missouri, USA, the single-day gathering provided an intense setting for specialized speedcubing, turning the hall into a hub of rapid turns and measured concentration across seven distinct disciplines.

This edition, officially known as KCKC 7 Big and Awkward 2025, brought together competitors from across the region to test their endurance and dexterity. Beyond standard Rubik's Cube solving, the schedule spotlighted challenges ranging from side-heavy polyhedral puzzles to multi-layered giants. Through thirteen completed rounds, participants pushed through long solve times and intricate algorithms, creating an electric competitive environment within Hensley Hall from morning until the final podiums were decided.

The 4x4x4 Cube contest featured three full rounds of action among forty-seven competitors, culminating in a decisive victory for Zachary Johnson. Johnson secured the title with an average of 34.64 seconds in the final round, accompanied by a best single of 28.55 seconds. Braxton Lee Fowler followed closely behind to claim the second step on the podium with a 37.10 average, while Edward Vakula rounded out the top three by posting an average of 37.15 seconds in a tightly contested finish.

Big cube mastery continued in the 5x5x5 Cube and 7x7x7 Cube events, where Ray Bai delivered a commanding double victory. In the single-round 5x5x5 Cube contest against forty-three competitors, Bai logged a winning average of 47.71 seconds alongside a single of 44.70 seconds. Zachary Walden took second with a 56.25 average, and Jadon Castillo earned third in 1:00.09. Later, in the 7x7x7 Cube, Bai paced the field of twenty-nine entrants with an average of 2:43.41, besting runner-up Jadon Castillo at 3:01.29 and third-place Casey Ngo at 3:06.50.

The 6x6x6 Cube saw Zachary Walden take the top spot on the podium after navigating two rounds of competition. Walden posted an unmatched winning average of 1:46.04, supported by the event single of 1:35.14. Braxton Lee Fowler collected another silver podium position with an average of 2:20.31, finishing just ahead of Chaeli Baker, who captured third place with an average of 2:20.91. The longer solves demanded steady precision, highlighting the specialized skills that define this side of competitive speed cubing.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across their individual journeys. Connor Willingham tackled six events, securing a 42.7 percent improvement on their Square-1 personal best with a time of 46.20 seconds, while also logging a first attempt at Megaminx in 3:01.48. Zebediah Yongo entered seven events and dropped their Megaminx mark by 41.8 percent to 1:52.62, while also lowering their Clock personal best to 23.51 seconds. Luke Perkins posted a 25 percent drop in 5x5x5 Cube to achieve a personal best of 1:37.13, and Jackson Scott Hill cut their 5x5x5 Cube mark by 33.3 percent to 1:41.54 alongside a debut 7x7x7 Cube single of 7:18.00.

Fresh milestones continued across the floor at this cubing competition. Andrew Wilbur secured a fifth-place finish in Square-1 and improved their 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 31.7 percent down to 42.94 seconds, in addition to taking on Megaminx for the first time with a solve of 3:04.68. Noah Tuttle registered personal bests across three big events, dropping their Megaminx mark by 30.8 percent to 1:17.99 and their 6x6x6 Cube time by 29 percent to 3:09.55. Andrew Oswald Franz stepped up to six events, notching first official marks in Square-1 at 47.63 seconds, Clock at 15.13 seconds, and Megaminx at 1:43.36, while David Pinegar navigated their very first WCA competition with initial marks across six events including 1:36.52 in 4x4x4 Cube.

The non-cube disciplines brought fast-paced drama to the tables. In Clock, Zachary Shaw took the title with a swift 4.74 average and a 3.87 single over two rounds, leading Trenton Cuzick at 5.86 and Edward Vakula at 6.97. Square-1 delivered the closest battle of the day, as Casey Ngo claimed first place with an average of 14.02 seconds, edging Edward Vakula by just three hundredths of a second at 14.05, while Kayden Yang placed third in 15.43. In Megaminx, Alexander Gager captured the gold with a 43.20 average, finishing ahead of Katie Hinkley at 47.70 and Jake Maddox at 48.46.

When the final timers were cleared at KCKC 7 Big and Awkward 2025, the gathering closed out a full program of complex events that tested patience and precision alike. While general fans often look solely for classic 3x3 results, this Missouri tournament demonstrated the depth of the wider cubing catalog. With all twenty-one podium positions claimed by United States competitors, the event highlighted the vibrant puzzle-solving community thriving in the Midwest.