St. Ansgar 2025

Nathan Rahn set the definitive standard in Iowa by securing victory in three separate disciplines, punctuated by a commanding 1.67 average in the 2x2x2 Cube final. That blistering performance stood out as the sharpest display of speed across the entire tournament. Across thirteen fast-paced rounds of play, Rahn emerged as the central figure of the weekend, setting a high bar in multiple formats and establishing an unrelenting pace at the tables.

Held on April 5, 2025, at South Square in St. Ansgar, Iowa, USA, St. Ansgar 2025 brought together 55 competitors to contest six official disciplines. The full-day speedcubing schedule offered a packed lineup of events ranging from lightning-fast short solves to grueling big-cube tests. Every spot on every podium across all six events went to competitors representing the USA, marking an outright sweep for the home contingent in this sanctioned WCA competition.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest delivered tense 3x3 results across three complete rounds featuring a field of 52 entrants. Rahn once again captured the top spot, taking first place with an 8.65 winning average and a round-best single solve of 8.17. Ethan Cho pushed hard to take second place with an 8.91 average, while Kaius Young secured third place on the podium with an 8.99 average, demonstrating exceptional Rubik's Cube mastery in the final.

Rahn capped his dominant triple crown by capturing the Skewb title, recording a 3.35 winning average and an event-best single of 2.73 across two rounds. Tyler Youlden finished as the runner-up with a 4.82 average, followed by Chris Van Der Brink in third at 5.48. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Rahn backed up his 1.67 victory with a 1.47 best single, leading Matthew Sanders in second at 2.97 and Youlden in third at 3.27.

Behind the top of the podium, several competitors logged remarkable milestones and steep personal improvements. William Beattie took on five events and achieved a 7.32 personal best in Skewb, improving by 63.5 percent over his previous best, while also finishing fifth in Clock. Landen Leerhoff dropped his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 51.6 percent down to 3.10, and Asher Vlastuin lowered his 3x3x3 Cube best to 34.16, an improvement of 48.1 percent, alongside a first attempt at Clock of 31.06. Jonathan Crose also delivered huge jumps, taking his 2x2x2 Cube best down to 2.36, which was 43.9 percent faster.

Fresh faces and multi-event entrants continued to make their presence felt across the tournament floor. Zackary Andrew Candy entered six disciplines, taking sixth in the 7x7x7 Cube with a first attempt mark of 4:52.09 while improving his Clock personal best by 40.7 percent to 11.30. Ian Vlastuin shaved 40.2 percent off his Clock best with a 15.08, Winston Sparks cut his 2x2x2 Cube time by 39.1 percent to 6.94, and Toby Wambeke made his debut at his first WCA competition, competing in five events and finishing eighth in Skewb.

The mechanical precision of the Clock event provided another highlight for the South Square venue. Chris Van Der Brink took the victory among 29 competitors, recording a 4.66 winning average and an event-best single solve of 3.31. Rahn showed his versatility once more by finishing in second place with a 5.24 average, while Max McGill earned the third step of the podium with a 5.61 average.

Big cubes demanded endurance and calculated turning from the field in St. Ansgar 2025. Kaius Young took first place in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 28.66 average and a single of 26.10, edging Cho in second at 29.51 and Rahn in third at 36.80. Cho rebounded in the 7x7x7 Cube, claiming victory with a 2:10.58 average and a 2:09.98 single, finishing ahead of Van Der Brink at 3:12.96 and Young at 3:23.38.

The day concluded as a thorough showcase of competitive speed cubing, defined by high-level execution at the top and deep progression throughout the ranks. With 55 entrants making their mark in St. Ansgar, the one-day gathering captured the competitive drive and depth of the regional scene throughout the 2025 season.