Micro Minnesota 2026

Inside the quiet rooms of the Ramsey County Library - Maplewood, tables were set with precision timers, pens, and puzzle mats for an intensive gathering of speedcubing specialists. Maplewood, Minnesota, USA served as the backdrop on February 7, 2026, welcoming a concentrated lineup of competitors ready to test their mental endurance across specialty events. The atmosphere reflected the distinct focus required for high-level solving, where every second and every single move counted toward the final rankings. With a tight roster of 10 competitors tackling three distinct events across four rounds, the stage was set for a memorable day of action.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded event proved to be a showcase of pure concentration, requiring competitors to commit the scrambled layout of the Rubik's Cube to memory before executing algorithms entirely without sight. Andy Wong dominated the contest across two rounds of play, delivering an extraordinary winning single of 15.85 seconds in the final round to secure first place. Wong had already demonstrated top form during the opening round with a 19.66-second solve. In an event where precision carries high stakes and incomplete attempts result in a DNF average, his single-solve speed stood unmatched throughout the entire tournament roster.

Chasing Wong on the blindfolded podium was Ivan ThanhDanh Duong, who recorded a time of 42.31 seconds in the finals after an initial 46.58-second effort in the first round, earning second place overall. Kaius Young took third place with a best single solve of 55.54 seconds, building on a 1:12.30 mark from the preliminary stage. The blindfolded field saw competitive efforts down the standings as Walker Welch produced a 1:36.05 single, Andrew Surine turned in a 1:40.63, Shain Papalotl Longbehn registered a 3:55.36, and Brooks Nelsen clocked an 8:35.23 single. Caleb Axvig rounded out the eight-competitor bracket in the double-round competition.

The 3x3x3 Fewest Moves discipline brought a deliberate, analytical pace to the speed cubing programme. Walker Welch emerged as the champion, crafting a winning average of 24.67 moves alongside a round-best single solution of 24 moves to lock up the victory. Andy Wong followed in second place with an average of 32.67 moves, demonstrating his versatility across both rapid sightless solving and deep analytical reconstruction. Shain Papalotl Longbehn earned the third spot on the podium with an average of 45.67 moves, completing a challenging event that tests structural understanding beyond simple turning speed.

Big cube handling took center stage in the 6x6x6 Cube event, where Ivan ThanhDanh Duong took first place with a winning average of 1:41.77 and a round-best single of 1:36.10 across the ten-person field. Kaius Young captured the second podium spot with an average of 1:46.79, while Walker Welch secured third place with an average mark of 1:58.08. The discipline demands physical stamina and intricate edge-pairing efficiency, testing the full skill set of every participant through extensive multi-layer operations.

Beyond the headline podium finishes, the tournament featured meaningful personal milestones across the roster. Lisa Kucala, taking on two events, delivered a notable 7.2 percent improvement on the 6x6x6 Cube by clocking a personal best of 4:40.09, down from an earlier 5:01.78, while also earning a fifth-place finish in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Brooks Nelsen entered three events and registered a 3.4 percent improvement in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a personal best of 56 moves, which secured a best finish of sixth place. Nelsen also tackled new ground by completing a first ever attempt at the 6x6x6 Cube in 6:12.18 and a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a time of 8:35.23.

First-time event entries continued to define the day for several competitors in Maplewood. Caleb Axvig took on three events, achieving a fourth-place best finish in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a first ever attempt of 53 moves, while also logging a first ever attempt at the 6x6x6 Cube with a time of 3:46.27. Kate Stuart contested the 6x6x6 Cube and posted a first ever attempt of 9:09.59 to finish tenth in the event. Andrew Surine entered two disciplines, navigating the sightless category to achieve a fifth-place best finish in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, adding another solid chapter to an extensive competition career.

All nine podium places awarded during the event went to representatives of the USA, showcasing regional depth across specialized disciplines. The gathering stood out for its concentrated structure, offering competitors a focused environment to refine their craft in events that demand extensive technical preparation. For enthusiasts reviewing official 3x3 results and tracking larger puzzle achievements, the day offered a comprehensive demonstration of varied cubing disciplines.

As the timers were packed away at the library venue, Micro Minnesota 2026 concluded as a distinct success for its ten competitors. The official WCA competition proved that a compact roster can generate high-level solving alongside significant individual milestones. Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2026 calendar, the performances logged in Maplewood provide a strong baseline for every competitor preparing for their next cubing competition.