Ohio State Weekend of Madness 2025

Luke Garrett delivered the defining performance of the tournament by capturing gold in three separate categories, highlighted by a dominant 46.86 winning average on the 5x5x5 Cube. His decisive weekend set the standard inside the Ohio Union as 60 competitors gathered to test their skills across 12 fast-paced rounds. Beyond the veteran masterclasses, the energy across Columbus, Ohio, USA was driven by an influx of fresh talent taking their initial steps onto the official stage. The gathering proved to be a vibrant demonstration of the discipline and preparation required across modern speedcubing.

Held across March 15 and March 16, Ohio State Weekend of Madness 2025 offered a packed programme spanning six distinct events. For many attendees, the weekend served as their very first WCA competition, turning the competition floor into a bustling arena of first official attempts and breakthrough personal records. Stepping up to the solving station for the first time brings a distinctive focus, where mechanical execution meets the strict scrutiny of official regulations. From early morning qualification attempts to intense multi-round showdowns, the two-day schedule provided every participant a comprehensive platform to measure their growth.

The spotlight shone brightest on those making major personal strides away from the main podium battles. Stevie Skelton registered massive improvements across the board, dropping their Square-1 personal best to 40.80 seconds, which was 59.5 percent faster than their prior mark, alongside a 34.9 percent improvement in the 5x5x5 Cube with a time of 1:43.02. Benjamin Fox tackled six events, achieving a Square-1 personal best of 1:25.14 that was 41.6 percent faster than before and a Skewb personal best of 16.42. Shane Carlisle made noticeable progress in three events, posting a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 34.28 seconds, cutting 31.6 percent off their previous best time.

First-time official attempts also defined the experience for several emerging solvers. Weston Clay made an ambitious start at their first official tournament by entering five events, recording a 5.60 single on the 2x2x2 Cube, a 13.04 on Skewb, and a 21.88 on Clock. Aden Harvey also debuted on the scene, competing in four events and setting initial marks of 15.73 on the 2x2x2 Cube, 20.37 on Skewb, and 53.47 on Clock. Corey Hammer took on three events in their first showing, posting a 23.18 on Skewb and an 8.79 on the 2x2x2 Cube. Henry Beard took on six events, recording first-ever official times of 6.83 on the 2x2x2 Cube, 7.50 on Skewb, and 30.69 on Square-1. Josiah Bolton also expanded their repertoire across six events, posting a 3.86 on the 2x2x2 Cube and a 40.89 on Square-1.

At the sharp end of the results, Garrett demonstrated remarkable versatility by pairing his big-cube triumph with titles in two very different specialties. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, where competitors manipulate the classic Rubik's Cube using only a single hand, Garrett posted a winning average of 9.57 seconds, joined on the podium by Dylan Cossin in second at 12.29 and Jack Pfeifer in third at 13.11. Although pure 3x3 results were not contested directly, one-handed execution demands deep mastery of turning ergonomics. Garrett secured his third title in Clock, winning with a 4.61 average over Jack Bohning and Carson Clark.

The 2x2x2 Cube competition featured the largest draw of the entire schedule, drawing 51 competitors across three demanding rounds. Sujan Feist claimed victory in the final round with a sharp 1.50 winning average and a best single of 1.16. Garrett took the silver medal position with an average of 1.57, while Xavier Ye secured the bronze step with a mark of 1.71. The sprint nature of the event left virtually no margin for hesitation, testing each finalist across five rapid-fire attempts under the tournament lights.

In Skewb, Dylan Cossin rose to the top of the 45-person field with a commanding 3.57 winning average, bolstered by a lightning single solve of 1.68. Dominic Brandi placed second with an average of 3.66, edging out Garrett who finished third at 3.80 to claim yet another podium placement. Square-1 delivered its own technical drama across two rounds, where Evan Wright captured first place with an impressive 6.90 winning average, followed by Jacob Dyland Bennett at 7.84 and Pfeifer at 8.55 to conclude a fiercely contested final.

The weekend closed with all 18 podium positions awarded to competitors representing the USA, reflecting the strength of the Midwest speed cubing circuit. Across two intense days, Ohio State Weekend of Madness 2025 demonstrated how a regional cubing competition thrives on both elite multi-event mastery and the courage of newcomers stepping up to the timer for the very first time. As the 2025 season progresses, the foundations laid in Columbus will serve as the launchpad for seasoned champions and debuting competitors alike.