Solve La Crosse 2025

Inside the competition halls of the Radisson Hotel La Crosse, the focused clatter of mechanisms and the gentle thud of hands hitting timers set the tone for an intense day of competition. Solve La Crosse 2025 gathered 65 competitors in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA on March 8, 2025, presenting a dynamic program of six distinct events across 12 fast-paced rounds. Speedcubing enthusiasts from across the region filled the venue, ready to test their preparation on everything from the traditional twisty puzzle to unique specialty disciplines.

While the standard 3x3x3 puzzle always attracts interest, the niche events delivered some of the most remarkable moments of the entire cubing competition. Square-1 featured a nail-biting showdown where Nathan Rahn captured first place with an average of 6.57 seconds, matching the identical 6.57 average posted by runner-up Brian Johnson, with Rahn securing the top spot thanks to his brilliant 5.07 single. Carter Kucala took third on the podium with a 9.55 average, completing a demanding single-round final that showcased the precise alignment required for the shape-shifting puzzle.

The specialized challenges continued with Clock and Skewb, where dexterity and quick adjustments proved decisive. Zachary Cribb mastered the double-sided dials in Clock, taking victory with a sub-four average of 3.99 seconds alongside an event-best single of 2.48 seconds. Kucala added another podium finish by taking second place with a 5.07 average, just ahead of Lucas Lippman-Bruno at 5.19 seconds. In Skewb, Simon Kellum maneuvered the corner-turning puzzle to first place with a 2.77 average and a 1.62 single, holding off Lippman-Bruno at 3.01 and Johnson at 3.08.

Pyraminx and one-handed solving highlighted the extraordinary range of the field. Brian Johnson enjoyed a standout day across multiple disciplines, claiming the Pyraminx title with an electric 2.49 average and a 1.91 single, outpacing Rahn at 3.16 and Kellum at 3.22. Johnson followed up that performance by capturing the 3x3x3 One-Handed crown, posting a winning average of 11.21 seconds and a 10.10 single. Zeke Mackay secured second place in the one-handed event with a 12.70 average, while Kellum rounded out the top three with 13.90.

Beyond the podium battles, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones in the results table. Elliot Hauser delivered a massive drop in Pyraminx, logging a personal best of 8.74 seconds that was 63.4 percent faster than his previous mark, while also recording his first ever attempt in 3x3x3 One-Handed at 54.43 seconds. Matias Grandouiller entered all six events and slashed his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best down to 29.29 seconds, an improvement of 55 percent, alongside a 12 percent drop in Clock to 5.44 seconds. Nolan Yeung shaved 42.9 percent off his Square-1 best with a 19.47 mark and took on his first Skewb attempt with a 5.62.

Other solvers expanded their repertoire with first-time official attempts and major breakthroughs across the board. Pax Hanke took 48.7 percent off his previous Pyraminx mark to record a 6.80 personal best. Connor Teunissen improved his Skewb personal best by 46.5 percent to finish with a 3.94 single. Arthur Posegate completed six events, logging his first official marks in 3x3x3 One-Handed at 41.41, Clock at 14.63, and Square-1 at 30.18. Fletcher Coggins tackled his first official attempts in Skewb at 6.75, Pyraminx at 5.84, and One-Handed at 1:03.66. Meanwhile, Edward Guthrie completed his very first WCA competition by entering four events, securing 11th place in Pyraminx and posting a 6.81 in Skewb.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a large field of 64 competitors through three tense rounds of solving. Zeke Mackay rose to the top of the standings to capture the championship, putting together a winning average of 6.19 seconds and registering the weekend best single of 5.54 seconds. Johnson earned second place with a 6.75 average, while Mihir Narayan claimed third with an average of 7.06 seconds. The final round was a showcase of speed cubing excellence that brought the classic Rubik's Cube contest to an exciting conclusion.

Across the entire day, the tournament reflected the strength of the community, yielding 17 podium spots for the United States and one for India. From the rapid turns of Clock and Square-1 to the traditional 3x3 results, Solve La Crosse 2025 demonstrated the immense preparation required to excel at every level of modern speedcubing.