Chicago Area Twist Spring B 2024

A blistering 1.15 winning average in the 2x2x2 Cube final set an untouchable benchmark on May 19, 2024, as the College of DuPage hosted Chicago Area Twist Spring B 2024. Luke Garrett delivered the standout speed performance of the gathering, locking down the 2x2 title with a best single of 0.96 seconds across three rounds of play. The rapid pace set an electric tone for the 153 competitors who gathered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA, to test their turning precision across five official World Cube Association events.

Garrett extended his sprinting dominance directly into the classic 3x3x3 Cube, heading a competitive field of 149 entrants. Across three demanding rounds, he secured first place with a 6.42 winning average and a round-best single of 5.46. The remaining podium steps in the main Rubik's Cube division saw a tight finish, with Brian Johnson and Carter Kucala each posting matching 7.44 averages in the final, finishing second and third respectively as spectators tracked the decisive 3x3 results.

The 2x2x2 Cube event saw immense depth across its 134 competitors, where quick recognition proved vital. Behind Garrett, Simon Kellum captured second place with an average of 1.89, while Kucala earned another podium spot in third place with a 2.06 average. Notable times echoed throughout the brackets, as Johnson posted a single of 1.12 and an average of 1.26, while Garrett registered marks of 1.44 and 1.59, and Kucala added a 1.26 single and 2.14 average during the rounds.

Across the other tables, speedcubing disciplines required varied mechanical skill sets. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, Garrett continued his sweep by taking first place among 63 competitors with an average of 9.74, accompanied by a single of 6.48. Johnson claimed second place in the one-handed event with an 11.48 average, edging out Kucala who finished third at 11.49. Garrett picked up a fourth victory in Megaminx, navigating the twelve-sided puzzle to win with an average of 40.98 and a best single of 34.05 over runner-up Austin Worley at 43.62 and Johnson at 48.88.

The sole event to escape Garrett's grasp was Pyraminx, where Simon Kellum delivered a masterclass in speed cubing efficiency. Kellum captured the title across two rounds featuring 118 competitors, logging a winning average of 1.94 and a lightning single of 1.14. Garrett settled for second place with an average of 2.76, while Johnson rounded out the podium in third place with a 2.89 mark, cementing an all-American podium sweep across every event at the cubing competition.

Away from the title clashes, the weekend featured remarkable personal breakthroughs across the lower brackets. Euclid Escoto produced one of the most drastic drops of the day, cutting down a 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 2.93, which was 78.5 percent faster than a prior 13.61 mark, alongside a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 23.91. Derek Ding achieved a massive 73.1 percent improvement on 2x2 with a 9.25 mark, a 43.82 single in the 3x3, and a 9.93 in Pyraminx. Cash Carlson tackled four events, recording a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed of 32.31 and a 2x2 debut of 4.93 while improving his Pyraminx personal best to 9.13, shaving 49.9 percent off his previous time. Corinne Garcia cut 48.9 percent off her 2x2 best with a 16.43 mark and logged a first Pyraminx attempt of 27.38.

Other competitors took on new disciplines with equal determination at the WCA competition tables. Wilder Mosley entered all five events, posting a first ever attempt at Megaminx of 2:48.20 and cutting his Pyraminx personal best by 46.1 percent to 2.92 for a 13th-place event finish. Caine Noah improved his 2x2 personal best by 42.1 percent down to 3.50, notched a 19.45 personal best in one-handed solving for an 11th-place finish, and registered a first Pyraminx attempt of 11.77. Camilo Lara tackled all five events, posting a 2.16 personal best on 2x2 to finish 11th, a first one-handed attempt of 44.14, and a 6.71 Pyraminx best. Shaurya Goyal made inaugural official attempts in 2x2 with 4.88 and Pyraminx with 15.03, alongside a 37.9 percent 3x3 personal best improvement of 25.89.

Over 11 scheduled rounds, Chicago Area Twist Spring B 2024 showcased the full spectrum of speed events, pairing rapid 2x2 sprints with grueling Megaminx solves. The blend of seasoned podium finishers and developing competitors establishing new benchmarks highlighted the enduring energy of the Illinois puzzle scene as solvers turn their attention toward the next competitive season.