Kromrey Middle School students in the speedcubing club, Cubetastic @ KMS, are preparing to compete this weekend in the Midwest Cubing Association's Madison 2026 event at Monona Terrace. The first round of the competition is on Saturday, May 9, and the final rounds are on Sunday, May 10.
Fifth grader Aarush Peddapati started the speedcubing club earlier this year to share his passion and expertise with more students. His mom, Padmini Chintakayala, serves as club advisor.
Peddapati has been helping train club members for the 3x3 cubing competition, which brings in cubers from across Wisconsin and the Midwest. Seven of the club’s 13 members will compete as well as Aarush’s sister Aarna, a first grader at Pope Farm Elementary School who was the youngest participant in the Wisconsin Speedcubing Championship in 2025.
Peddapati said the second round is highly competitive, “but that's ok because we can race against our own personal best.”
The team holds practice sessions each Wednesday after school, and Peddapati said their confidence is increasing with each meeting. Going into the competition, he said club members feel “overall, pretty excited and pumped up.”
One of their recent meetings included a visit from top-tier competitive speedcubers Zeke Mackay and Simon Kellum, who gave the club members tips on how to prepare as first-time competitors.
A veteran cubing competitor, Peddapati is looking forward to sharing this competition among friends.
“I am very excited to have my friends and fellow Kromrey students with me this time,” Peddapati said. “I didn't know anyone in these competitions before other than my little sister. Now we both are excited to have a full group to hang out with!”
Join MCPASD is cheering on Kromrey's talented speedcubers!