Billings Fall 2024

Twenty-three competitors gathered under the lights at MetraPark - First Interstate Arena as Billings Fall 2024 delivered a packed single-day showcase on September 28, 2024. The gathering in Billings, Montana, USA, brought together speedcubing talent from across the region to contest sixteen rounds of competition spanning nine distinct disciplines. Among them, Daniel Mullen staged a tour de force across the tournament schedule, claiming seven event victories and leaving an indelible mark on the hometown crowd in Big Sky Country during this celebrated 2024 gathering.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all twenty-three participants through three intense rounds of speed cubing action. Mullen set the tone from his opening solves, ultimately capturing the title with a tournament-winning average of 8.80 seconds in the final round alongside a day-best single of 7.99 seconds. The 3x3 results saw Elizabeth Cutting secure second place with a solid average of 12.14 seconds, edging out Tye Gorder, who rounded out the podium in third place with a 12.17 average after a tightly contested finish.

Beyond the classic Rubik's Cube, Mullen asserted total control over the big cube categories in Billings. In the single-round 4x4x4 Cube contest featuring fourteen entrants, Mullen took the top spot with an average of 38.56 seconds and a fast single of 31.44 seconds, with Gorder taking silver at 42.70 seconds and Cutting earning bronze at 47.25 seconds. Mullen continued his winning ways in the 5x5x5 Cube, clocking a 1:05.87 average, before dominating the 6x6x6 Cube in 2:16.19 and taking the 7x7x7 Cube with an impressive 3:06.50 average.

The side events provided equally compelling drama on the tables at this WCA competition. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, Mullen completed his sweep of complex disciplines by posting a winning average of 14.98 seconds and a single of 14.08 seconds across two rounds, followed by Stone Amsbaugh in second at 18.21 seconds and Gorder in third at 20.74 seconds. Mullen added yet another first-place finish in Pyraminx, taking gold with a 3.88 average ahead of Amsbaugh at 6.20 seconds and Gorder at 8.92 seconds.

The remaining podium titles showcased outstanding versatility across the field. In the fast-paced 2x2x2 Cube event, Tye Gorder broke Mullen's streak by seizing first place with a blistering 2.99 average and a best single of 1.51 seconds across three rounds, leaving Mullen in second at 3.22 seconds and Cutting in third at 3.61 seconds. In Skewb, Trenton Cuzick captured victory with a stellar 4.02 average and a 3.62 single, standing atop a podium that featured Mullen in second with a 5.19 average and Gorder in third with 6.20 seconds.

Beyond the championship trophies, this cubing competition served as a milestone stage for several emerging solvers who achieved substantial individual breakthroughs. Kilian Running Crane achieved the weekend's most dramatic leap, dropping his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 17.51 seconds, an improvement of 43.8 percent from his prior mark of 31.13 seconds, while also logging a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 7.11 seconds and 4x4x4 Cube in 1:57.42. Roger D. Persons slashed his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 28.5 percent to 4.37 seconds and cut his 3x3x3 Cube best to 19.23 seconds by 26.9 percent, alongside a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 1:52.40. Kasper Joos lowered his 2x2x2 Cube best to 9.36 seconds, improved his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 13.4 percent to 30.72 seconds, and placed 5th in Pyraminx with an initial attempt of 5.97 seconds. Cashton Sharp took 4th in 3x3x3 Cube with a new personal best of 10.05 seconds, down 20.2 percent, while advancing in Skewb to 5.75 seconds and Pyraminx to 6.83 seconds.

The spirit of growth continued across the registration list as several competitors took on expansive schedules and brand-new events. Simyon Hein tackled seven separate events, highlighted by a 6th-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed and debut marks of 2:20.06 in 5x5x5 Cube, 5.50 in Pyraminx, and 6.24 in Skewb. Trenton Dell took on eight events, securing 9th place in 6x6x6 Cube, recording a debut 5x5x5 Cube effort of 3:24.01, and setting personal bests of 12.01 in Skewb and 12.15 in Pyraminx. Bryce O'Brien registered personal bests including a 36.63 in 3x3x3 Cube alongside debut solves in Pyraminx at 14.21 and Skewb at 16.41. Tristan O'Brien improved his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 21 percent to 11.72 seconds and logged an initial Pyraminx solve of 36.32.

The tournament also welcomed newcomers to official play, with Dustin Jacobson entering seven events in his debut tournament and finishing 10th in 5x5x5 Cube with a 2:42.39 while posting a 21.23 in 3x3x3 Cube. Demetrios J. Siomos placed 4th in Pyraminx during his first official appearance, posting a 13.83 in 3x3x3 Cube and a 57.85 in 4x4x4 Cube. Across all sixteen rounds, Billings Fall 2024 highlighted the depth, focus, and camaraderie that define competitive solving, sending twenty-three competitors home with fresh milestones to build upon heading into the next competitive season.