Michigan Mini 34 2025

Cole Shaft dominated the tables in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, seizing two separate titles on August 28 to leave a major mark on the late-summer tournament schedule. His performance set the tone for Michigan Mini 34 2025, an action-packed one-day gathering where Shaft claimed gold in both Clock and Skewb. The event served as a high-intensity proving ground as competitors throughout the region sought to sharpen their official marks and test their form before the autumn calendar begins.

Hosted at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Center, Michigan Mini 34 2025 brought together a focused group of 31 competitors across 3 events and 6 rounds of high-pressure play. In a fast-moving cubing competition, the compact schedule offered immediate chances for redemption and progression. With the 2025 competitive cycle moving into its final stretch, speedcubing enthusiasts gathered to push for critical personal milestones across classic twisty puzzles and mechanically distinct challenges alike.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest delivered a thrilling conclusion, drawing all 31 registered entrants across two competitive rounds. Elijah Layne took the top spot on the podium with a winning average of 8.93 seconds, backed by a best single of 8.54. He narrowly edged out Ben Saperstein, who posted a 9.02 average and delivered the fastest single of the round at 8.14. Asher Kaftan completed the podium in third place with a 9.83 average, after clocking an 8.50 single.

In the specialized discipline of Clock, Shaft produced a clinical display, leading the field of 13 solvers with a winning average of 4.39 seconds and an event-best single of 3.07. His nearest challenger, Brenden McCracken, secured second place with a 9.36 average, while Harper Rumschik claimed third with 10.12. The intricate double-sided dials demand precise dexterity, and Shaft demonstrated total command over both rounds of the discipline.

Shaft carried that momentum directly into the Skewb event, navigating the corner-turning puzzle across two rounds featuring 19 competitors. He captured the victory with a 4.49 average and a fast 3.69 single. Yuxuan Chen finished as the runner-up with a 6.85 average, while Brenden McCracken earned another podium placement by taking third place with a 7.07 mark. Shaft emerged as the sole multi-event champion of the entire gathering.

Away from the top of the podium, Michigan Mini 34 2025 highlighted tremendous personal breakthroughs and ambitious debuts across the roster. Emma Mae Feather took on three events and slashed her personal best in the classic Rubik's Cube down to 26.82 seconds, a 33 percent improvement over her previous 40.00 best, while also logging her first ever attempt at Skewb with a 10.74 solve. Adrian Resteman secured an 11th-place finish in 3x3 with a 13.77 personal best, shaving 35 percent off his former 21.17 mark. Louis Zettelmaier placed 6th in Skewb after registering his first ever attempt of 5.69, alongside an improved 16.47 single in 3x3.

Fresh faces made an immediate impression at this WCA competition as well. Aeiden Harlan completed their first official speed cubing appearance across three events, placing 5th in Skewb while posting a 10.82 in Clock, 12.41 in 3x3, and 5.10 in Skewb. Binyomin Mandel made his official debut in two events, logging an 18.50 in Clock and a 38.36 in 3x3. Ryan Liu delivered a 29.21 personal best on 3x3 to improve by 21 percent, Edison Ma Zhang recorded a 4th-place finish in Skewb alongside his first Clock attempt at 23.01, and Steven Stoddard finished 8th in Clock while logging a new 14.73 personal best in 3x3.

The full slate of 3x3 results demonstrated remarkable consistency and depth from top to bottom, with all 9 available podium spots across the three disciplines won by competitors representing the USA. As Michigan Mini 34 2025 concluded at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Center, the competition provided valuable momentum for newcomers and seasoned competitors alike as they prepare for the next chapter of the season.