Cincinnati Speed Solving 2024

Inside Nagel Middle School, the tables were arranged under bright gymnasium lighting as timers and display mats awaited the opening solves of the day. A field of 112 competitors gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA on April 27, 2024, creating an atmosphere of intense focus and shared ambition across 12 scheduled rounds. The single-day tournament provided a demanding schedule across six distinct puzzles, drawing seasoned campaigners and hopeful debutants alike to the competition floor. Every station buzzed with activity from early morning heats through the decisive afternoon finals.

The 2024 calendar brought seasoned competitors back to top form at Cincinnati Speed Solving 2024, where Luke Garrett demonstrated masterclass consistency across multiple categories. In the premier 3x3x3 Cube event, which brought together 108 competitors across three rounds, Garrett secured the title with an exceptional winning average of 5.46 seconds, alongside the weekend best single of 4.95 seconds. Luke Griesser followed in second place with an average of 6.55 seconds, while Nate Abeleda earned third place averaging 7.61 seconds in the traditional Rubik's Cube showdown.

Garrett extended his veteran form into the specialized events, taking top honours in both the 3x3x3 One-Handed and Megaminx competitions. In the one-handed final, his winning average of 9.73 seconds and single of 7.38 seconds outpaced a 45-competitor field, with Luke Van Laningham placing second with 14.12 seconds and Griesser taking third with 14.36 seconds. Over on the twelve-sided Megaminx, Garrett logged a winning average of 39.39 seconds and a 38.00 single, leading a podium completed by Griesser at 48.75 seconds and Lucy Grace Bryson at 52.23 seconds.

Not to be outdone, Luke Van Laningham proved unstoppable across three fast-paced puzzle disciplines at Cincinnati Speed Solving 2024. In the 2x2x2 Cube event, Van Laningham navigated two competitive rounds among 97 entrants to capture first place with a 1.69 average and 1.14 single, narrowly edging Garrett who finished second with 1.73, while Sujan Feist claimed third with 2.09. Van Laningham continued his sweep in Pyraminx, producing a 2.66 winning average to hold off Steven Wintringham at 2.77 and Garrett at 2.78 among 76 competitors.

Van Laningham completed his trio of victories in the Skewb event, navigating a field of 66 competitors across two rounds to secure the title with a 2.36 average and 1.97 single. Dominic Brandi finished as the runner-up with an average of 4.32 seconds, while Jacob Dyland Bennett earned third place with a 4.42 average. Across all six events on the schedule, representatives of the United States secured all 18 podium positions, highlighting a deep local talent pool in this high-calibre WCA competition.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable breakthroughs across the tournament floor. Nolan Mahaffey delivered one of the steepest single-event time drops of the day, logging a Pyraminx personal best of 11.04 seconds that was 56.6 percent faster than his previous best of 25.43 seconds. Dean Williams also demonstrated sharp improvement across four events, setting a Skewb personal best of 7.02 seconds to outpace his previous 12.74 mark by 44.9 percent, alongside a 23.73 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube and a 6.24 personal best in 2x2x2 Cube. Brooks Murray contested five events, establishing a 2x2x2 personal best of 5.05 seconds, an improvement of 43.8 percent from 8.99, and a Pyraminx best of 8.80 seconds.

New milestones continued throughout the day as competitors expanded their event repertoires. Bode Taake recorded a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 54.39 seconds, cutting 37.6 percent off a previous 1:27.10 mark, while making a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 7.18. Elliot Smith took on five disciplines, setting a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 5.05 seconds, an improvement of 35.9 percent over 7.88, while recording a first ever attempt at Skewb in 15.20 and earning a best finish of 26th in Megaminx. Bryce Derflinger tackled five categories, registering a best finish of 22nd in Megaminx alongside a first ever attempt of 2:53.89, while also completing a first ever attempt in Pyraminx at 13.05 and 3x3x3 One-Handed in 46.75. For Shreyaan Nutakki, this was a first WCA competition, featuring five events with a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 15.81, Pyraminx of 9.18, and Skewb of 14.00. Mohammad Tawfiq Amjath also made his first WCA competition appearance, tackling five events including a first ever attempt of 10.22 in 2x2x2 Cube, 13.35 in Skewb, and 13.72 in Pyraminx.

The high volume of personal milestones and polished routines throughout the venue reflected a vibrant community thriving in the middle of the season. Between the dominant turns from established names and the determined efforts across the wider roster, Cincinnati Speed Solving 2024 provided a comprehensive exhibition of speed cubing excellence. With the 3x3 results locked in and every puzzle solved, participants left the school gymnasium with new benchmarks established and valuable experience gained for the competitive calendar ahead.