Warm Up in Mount Prospect 2023

Luke Garrett set an unrelenting pace at the Mt. Prospect Public Library, storming through a multi-stage progression to secure the 3x3x3 Cube title with an exceptional 5.70 winning average. Across three demanding rounds, competitors faced a narrowing field where single-solve composure proved paramount. Garrett delivered the standout single solve of the entire discipline at 4.61, anchoring a tournament performance defined by mastery over the classic Rubik's Cube. The gathering in Mount Prospect, Illinois, USA brought together 36 competitors on July 24, 2023, for a high-tempo showdown spanning five official disciplines and eleven intense rounds of play.

The round structure dictated the entire narrative of the weekend. Across multi-stage formats, entrants had to survive early qualifying heats where one unsteady solve could eliminate a contender before the medal rounds. In the 3x3 results, Ben Zhao mounted a serious challenge across the three rounds, taking second place with a 6.09 average, while Carter Thomas earned third with an 8.13 mark. The tiered format tested stamina as much as raw speed, rewarding competitors who could navigate initial heats and replicate world-class consistency when the pressure peaked in the final round.

Garrett turned the tournament into a personal showcase, claiming three separate victories across contrasting puzzle sizes. In the 2x2x2 Cube, a compact two-round format left virtually zero margin for error. Garrett seized first place with a 1.82 average and a 1.33 best single, holding off Kevin Casey who finished second with a 2.15 average. Zeke Mackay claimed third place with a 2.36 average. In the earlier round of the event, Garrett registered a remarkable 1.16 single and a 1.50 average, demonstrating top form across the speed cubing weekend.

The 5x5x5 Cube added another layer of endurance to the schedule, requiring deep lookahead and flawless execution across two rounds. Garrett once again topped the podium, recording a winning average of 54.83 alongside a 49.58 single, which stood as the only sub-50 single of the event. Carter Thomas pushed the leader closely, capturing second place with a 57.03 average, while Ben Zhao secured third on the podium with a 57.87 average. The competition proved that navigating heavy piece counts under tournament conditions demands absolute precision.

Specialist puzzles brought distinct challenges to the table, led by a three-round Clock event where quick reaction times ruled. Reed W. Richardson emerged victorious with a stellar 4.63 average, posting a competition-best 3.62 single along the way. Sebastian Carrillo secured second place with a 4.94 average, while Ethan Cho completed the podium in third with a 6.17 mark. In Megaminx, contested as a direct single-round final, Ishaan Lal captured the title with a 41.25 average and a 38.80 single, edging Garrett who finished second at 41.82, while Simon Kellum claimed third with a 47.56 average.

Away from the top of the podium, Warm Up in Mount Prospect 2023 featured massive personal milestones across the roster. Adrian Millan delivered a tremendous time drop in Clock, lowering their personal best to 24.56, which was 39.2 percent faster than their previous best mark of 40.39, while also improving by 25.1 percent in 2x2x2 Cube with a 4.53 and taking 16th in Megaminx. Ethan Solis knocked 38.2 percent off their 2x2x2 Cube best with a 2.94, improved their 3x3x3 Cube best by 11.8 percent to 13.97, and logged their first ever attempt at Clock with an 18.13. Colin Sharpe took on all five events, securing a 15th-place finish in Megaminx, slashing 39.1 percent off their 2x2x2 Cube record down to 2.54, and dropping their 5x5x5 Cube mark by 19.1 percent to 2:17.48.

The progress continued throughout the field as solvers pushed past prior standards at this WCA competition. Daniel Perez tackled five disciplines, setting a Clock personal best of 7.67 to improve by 37.1 percent, a 5x5x5 Cube best of 2:17.44 for a 21.5 percent drop, and a 14th-place Megaminx finish. Ross Lazarow posted a 5x5x5 Cube best of 1:23.25, improving by 29.2 percent, recorded a 10.05 in 3x3x3 Cube, and completed their first ever attempt at Megaminx in 2:03.47 to finish 12th. Alex Chen shaved 21.2 percent off their 5x5x5 Cube standard with a 2:07.02, Ethan Wilson registered their first ever attempts in both Megaminx at 2:52.51 and Clock at 27.04, and Filip Gostkowski completed their first WCA competition with an opening 20.02 attempt in 3x3x3 Cube.

The speedcubing gathering in Mount Prospect demonstrated how tournament structure influences every stage of competition, from preliminary rounds to decisive finals. With 15 podium positions earned by United States competitors, the event highlighted the depth of local and regional talent across short sprints and complex big cubes. As the 2023 schedule unfolds, the technical precision and rapid progression displayed at this cubing competition establish a compelling baseline for all participants heading into the remainder of the season.