North Carolina Mini Qualifier 2026

The competition floor inside 5th & Washington Events carried the rhythmic clatter of plastic layers turning in rapid succession as competitors gathered for a day of intense speedcubing. In Mebane, North Carolina, USA, the single-day schedule on March 29, 2026, welcomed a focused gathering of 19 entrants. With four specialised disciplines on the agenda across four total rounds, the atmosphere was defined by precision and personal progress, as puzzle enthusiasts stepped up to the tables to test their preparation.

While standard Rubik's Cube categories often draw massive fields, this cubing competition offered a distinct platform where non-standard events took centre stage. Enthusiasts who usually follow standard 3x3 results found themselves captivated by the physical and mental demands of larger nxn puzzles and geometric variations. Across the venue, the North Carolina Mini Qualifier 2026 became an arena where solving efficiency was measured through significant personal breakthroughs, with competitors shaving substantial seconds off their prior standards.

The 6x6x6 Cube proved to be a showcase of elite consistency and personal progression. Ibrahim Khanani led the field with authority, claiming victory on the strength of a 1:44.16 winning average alongside the round's fastest single at 1:41.86. Bhuvanesh Ganta secured the second spot on the podium with a 1:56.48 average, complemented by a 1:51.24 single. Ashten Jampayas completed the podium in third place, recording an average of 2:03.20 and a best single effort of 1:56.17.

Khanani continued his dominant form in the 7x7x7 Cube, capturing his second title of the weekend with a winning average of 2:35.11 and the event's top single time of 2:33.22. Ganta once again put forward a formidable challenge to take second place with an average of 2:41.34, while Jampayas earned another podium finish by taking third place with an average of 3:11.50 over the single round of 17 competitors.

Beyond the top podium steps, the heart of the competition was visible in the remarkable progress logged throughout the roster. Braeden Tabor delivered a standout performance in the 7x7x7 Cube, posting a personal best of 5:31.91 that was 16.4% faster than before, while also recording a 4:08.76 personal best in 6x6x6 Cube to finish 8.2% faster and claiming a best finish of 4th in Megaminx. Warren Morris improved dramatically in 6x6x6 Cube with a personal best of 2:43.16, marking a 13.7% drop from past marks. Nathan Smith also showed substantial growth, clocking a 7x7x7 Cube personal best of 7:56.93, which was 13.3% faster than his previous standard across his four events.

That drive continued with Trace Powers, who tackled four events and recorded a first ever attempt at 7x7x7 Cube with a mark of 7:41.40 while trimming 12.6% off previous times to log a Megaminx personal best of 2:45.38. Breylan Ouellette entered three events, locking in a Megaminx personal best of 1:03.46 to go 9.1% faster and setting a 6x6x6 Cube personal best of 2:25.15. Orion Leavitt-Lytle took on four events, setting a 6x6x6 Cube personal best of 2:16.89 and reaching 5th in Square-1. Addy Coolidge competed in four events with a best finish of 11th in 6x6x6 Cube, while Dalton Padgett secured 4th in 7x7x7 Cube across his four entries.

In the Megaminx event, Ely Charqueno demonstrated remarkable speed across the dodecahedral layout, securing first place with an average of 47.31 and a best single solve of 39.57. Kavin Rajendran took second place on the podium with a mark of 53.16, narrowly edging Logan McClure, who finished in third place with a 53.60 average. The discipline tested endurance and lookahead across a field of 17 solvers.

The speed cubing action concluded with an electric Square-1 round featuring 15 entrants. Logan McClure delivered the standout performance of the bracket, claiming first place with a winning average of 9.82 and a best single solve of 7.55. Ely Charqueno followed in second position with a 15.71 average, while William Vandergrift earned third place with a 16.91 average. The results contributed to a complete sweep of all twelve podium spots by solvers representing the USA.

As the tables were packed up and timers powered down at the North Carolina Mini Qualifier 2026, the event stood as a clear testament to focused development in Mebane. Every entry contributed to a fast-moving WCA competition defined by perseverance on complex puzzles. With numerous personal records established and fresh benchmarks set, the gathering offered a meaningful springboard for every competitor preparing for the challenges of the upcoming competitive season.