Arkansolve Fall 2024

The tables inside the Embassy Suites NW Arkansas Convention Center hummed with rapid clicking, ticking timers, and the distinct clatter of plastic. In contrast to the quiet study of pen-and-paper events like Fewest Moves, where solvers deliberately dissect every turn over an entire hour, Arkansolve Fall 2024 was built on pure, unhesitating speed. The single-day speedcubing gathering on November 9, 2024, brought 88 competitors together in Rogers, Arkansas, USA, testing their reflexes and composure across six diverse events and fourteen competitive rounds.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a packed field of 87 competitors through three intense rounds. When the dust settled, the 3x3 results showed a thrilling battle decided by two hundredths of a second. Daniel Mullen captured the title on the classic Rubik's Cube with a winning average of 8.63 seconds and a best single of 7.79. Titus Sutterfield took a razor-thin second place with an 8.65 average, while Michael Shubentsov earned third on the podium with a mark of 10.06.

Titus Sutterfield proved to be the most decorated athlete of the cubing competition, securing podium finishes across four separate categories. Sutterfield claimed the top spot in Pyraminx with an average of 3.07 seconds, edging out Mullen, who took second in 3.70, and Kari Guthrie in third at 4.45. Sutterfield followed up that performance with another gold in Skewb, recording an average of 3.08 seconds to lead Trenton Cuzick at 4.07 and Nathan Smith at 5.28.

In the 2x2x2 Cube, Michael Shubentsov took the victory with a 2.67 second average, holding off Sutterfield, who finished second at 2.84, and Gordon Jones in third at 3.37. The event produced intense speed cubing action throughout the opening heats, where Sutterfield posted a 1.59 single and a 2.07 average, while Jake Maddox logged a 1.77 single and a 2.34 average. Over three rounds, 82 participants pushed the pace in one of the day's largest brackets.

Beyond the shorter sprint formats, competitors at Arkansolve Fall 2024 tackled specialized twisty puzzles. In Square-1, Michael S. Lander clinched first place with a 10.71 winning average, finishing ahead of Sutterfield at 11.43 and Gordon Thomas White III at 15.53. Meanwhile, the complex 6x6x6 Cube saw Lydia Workman dominate the field of 34 competitors, posting a winning average of 1:53.05 alongside a round-best single of 1:45.06, outpacing Mullen at 2:14.22 and Elliott Ashe at 2:17.47.

The weekend also highlighted tremendous breakthroughs across the roster, offering stories of individual progress away from the podium ceremonies. Jack Douglas Smith shaved 57.2 percent off his previous benchmark in 2x2x2 Cube to establish a new personal best of 4.58 seconds, alongside a 25.07 in 3x3x3. Lincoln Major delivered a 55.2 percent improvement on 2x2x2 with a time of 5.42, cut his Pyraminx record to 8.90, and registered a 12.85 in his first ever attempt at Skewb. Gabriel Norton improved his Pyraminx best by 39.2 percent to 7.42 while making debut appearances in 2x2x2 and Square-1.

Other competitors took on multiple disciplines with remarkable success during this official WCA competition. Jaydan Bryant reduced his 3x3x3 best by 37.7 percent down to 12.82 and logged his first official Pyraminx attempt at 18.32. Brenden Allen dropped his 2x2x2 best by 34 percent to 5.83 and took on five total events. Paul Eunsoo Cho improved his 3x3x3 mark by 32.6 percent to 15.69. Peter Aho tackled six events, recording a 33.3 percent improvement in Pyraminx to 3.29, while Andrew Thiesfeld completed all six disciplines and secured fifth place in Skewb.

Debutants also made their mark, with Landon Kobliska competing in five events at their first tournament, recording a 12.42 in 3x3x3, a 6.75 in Pyraminx, and an 8.84 in Skewb. With 18 podium spots claimed by competitors from the United States, Arkansolve Fall 2024 demonstrated the depth of talent throughout the region, ending the year with memorable finishes and setting a high standard for future tournaments.