SoCal Speedcubing at Super STEM Saturday 2025

Dominic Shoji set the tone for an explosive day of speedcubing at CSU San Marcos, ripping through the 2x2x2 Cube final with a blisteringly fast 1.92 winning average. His performance was anchored by an exceptional best single of 1.76, setting a high benchmark for the gathering. The rapid solves underscored a tournament defined by sweeping individual breakthroughs. From the opening turns to the concluding rounds, competitors pushed their limits and repeatedly rewrote their personal benchmarks across four packed rounds of tournament play.

Held on March 8, 2025, SoCal Speedcubing at Super STEM Saturday 2025 welcomed 98 competitors to San Marcos, California, USA for an intense single-day showcase. Across 2 featured events, participants delivered relentless action on the solving tables. While the podium battles drew intense focus, the deeper story of the day was the widespread wave of rapid time drops. Speed cubing enthusiasts and seasoned veterans alike showed notable progress across every stage of the schedule.

The 3x3x3 Cube division generated immense excitement as 98 entrants took to the venue to chase top tier 3x3 results. Yichen Sheng rose to the occasion in the final round, capturing the victory with a standout 8.17 winning average alongside a sharp 7.17 single solve. Joel Kim applied heavy pressure throughout the bracket, securing the second step on the podium with an 8.29 average. Shoji added to his medal haul by taking third place with a 9.14 mark, completing an elite top three.

In the 2x2x2 Cube competition, 67 solvers contested two rounds of rapid fire solving. Shoji took the title with his 1.92 average, while Kim claimed another silver placement by recording a solid 2.96 mark. Daxton Westlake rounded out the podium positions, finishing in third place with a 3.47 average. The high density of clean executions demonstrated the exacting standards required at a premier Rubik's Cube gathering in Southern California.

Beyond the championship trophies, SoCal Speedcubing at Super STEM Saturday 2025 served as a proving ground for competitors establishing massive personal milestones. Oliver Beamish authored one of the steepest leaps of the entire tournament, taking on two events and shattering his previous 3x3x3 Cube benchmark by 45.9 percent with a fresh 15.68 result, while also registering a 4.95 mark in his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube. Elijah Aguilera also showcased dramatic gains, dropping his 3x3x3 mark to 29.02 for a 35.4 percent improvement and logging an 8.78 in his debut on the 2x2x2 Cube. Mason Farfan lowered his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 30 percent down to 6.74, while Cahit Ege Balci advanced across both disciplines, cutting his 3x3x3 time by 28.5 percent to 16.11 and trimming his 2x2x2 time by 26.3 percent to 7.16.

The spirit of growth was equally evident among solvers tackling fresh formats and those making their debut appearances. Luke Monasmith improved his 2x2x2 Cube best by 28 percent down to 4.80 while also slicing 12.3 percent off his 3x3x3 Cube mark to finish at 19.80. Andrew Ehle took on two events, earning a 10th place finish in 2x2x2 Cube with a 3.79 in his first ever attempt at the event, alongside a 9.78 in 3x3x3 Cube that improved his previous standard by 9.3 percent. Sylvester Slavet-Burr successfully tackled both puzzles for the first time in official competition, posting a 16.10 in the 3x3x3 Cube and a 6.00 in the 2x2x2 Cube. William Ren Keller took on his first WCA competition, recording a 4.22 in the 2x2x2 Cube and a 13.82 in the 3x3x3 Cube.

The collective achievements across both disciplines reinforced the vibrant atmosphere of this cubing competition in San Marcos. With competitors representing the United States claiming all 6 podium positions, the depth of local talent was on full display. The dual event program provided an ideal structure for competitors to test their efficiency under regulation conditions while chasing personal milestones.

As SoCal Speedcubing at Super STEM Saturday 2025 concluded, the event stood as a testament to technical dedication and continuous self improvement. Every round delivered tangible proof of hours spent refining fingertricks, algorithms, and inspection routines. The remarkable drops in solve times across the board ensure that these competitors will carry strong momentum into their future appearances on the official circuit.