By Rachel Hankinson — Freshmen Cody Popivch is attempting to break the world record for the octahedral barrel rubiks cube.  The former world record time was 35 seconds while Cody is able to solve the cube in 25 seconds.

Last year, Cody was looking up rubiks cubes and decided that he wanted to break the record.  He asked is grandmother for a competition cube and began practicing.  His first attempt took him 10 minutes and he bettered his time by two minutes each additional attempt.  It has taken him four months to achieve his 25 seconds time now.

“I never thought that it would come this far,” said grandmother.  “I figured that he would play around with the rubix cube a few times then get bored with it.”

To apply to break a world record a challenger must specify: which kind of rubiks cube they will be using, what they are attempting to do and why they had this goal.  A represtative from the Guiness Book of World Records must watch him do it.  Popivich has contacted him and they are trying to arrange a date for them to meet.

“From where I live not too many people have the opportunity to get a world record,” Popivich said.  “It was a goal of mine from the minute I started.”

Breaking records is not the only competition Cody seeks.  By going to the rubiks cubing web sites, contenders can register for different competitions throughout the country.  For each different cube there are rounds, usually three.  To pass on the next one the contender must qualify with a time or be in the top percent of those who can go on.

“Competitions are a good way to meet new people interested in rubix cubes,” Cody said.  “I like seeing new people come out to these competitions.”

Breaking records and doing well in competitions is not the only priorities on Cody’s mind.  In 2010 his grandfather died of stomach cancer.  When Cody found out that he was good at rubiks cubing he decided to create Cube for the Cure, a two hour relay of solving rubiks cubes.

“I felt really bad about my grandpa’s death since there was nothing I could do,” Cody said.  “I though I could contribute to cancer research by using my nerdiness.”

For each cube Cody solves people will donate money for the cause.  As he solves the cubes, other cubes will be scrambled by volunteer scramblers them up.  Cody’s church, St. Mark’s Apiscable, has agreed to let Cody hold this event for the cause.

Cody is now looking forward to his Cube for the Cure, new competitions and getting into the Guinness World Book of Records.