Cube More in Ardmore 2024

Fifty-four competitors stepped up to the tables at the HFV Wilson Community Center on September 21, 2024, bringing rapid-fire puzzle solving to Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA. While the quiet discipline of events like Fewest Moves often relies on deliberate pen-and-paper analysis and deep calculation away from ticking stopwatches, this one-day cubing competition favored raw pace and decisive execution across 16 high-intensity rounds. Competitors navigated eight different disciplines, trading the methodical stillness of FMC theory for the lightning reflexes demanded by modern speedcubing.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest drew 52 entrants across three rounds, serving as the centerpiece of the entire gathering. Ryan Pilat captured the title with a tournament-winning average of 6.64 seconds, having also set the weekend benchmark with a best single of 5.26 seconds. Ray Bai kept the pressure high throughout the final, taking the runner-up position with a 7.05 average, while Casey Ngo locked in third place with an 8.11 mark. The standard of the 3x3 results demonstrated how competitive the region has become.

Pilat also claimed the top step in the 4x4x4 Cube, producing a winning average of 26.12 seconds alongside a single of 25.28. Ray Bai finished second in the event with a 27.11 average, and Jadon Castillo earned third at 33.07 seconds. Pilat extended his golden run into the Pyraminx, outpacing a field of 41 entrants to win with an average of 2.35 seconds and a single of 1.85, followed on the podium by John Wanger II in second at 4.11 and Kaden Christopher Dockins in third at 4.21.

Ray Bai assembled an equally dominant resume in Ardmore, winning three separate events through remarkable consistency. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Bai secured victory with an 11.51 average, holding off Pilat who finished second with 12.20 and Dylan Baumbach in third with 14.51. Bai also took gold in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 47.80 average, where Pilat placed second at 54.84 and Castillo finished third at 57.59. Bai closed out his triple crown on the twelve-sided Megaminx, winning the single-round contest with a 35.12 average ahead of Jose Ortiz Jr. at 40.37 and Pilat at 42.70.

The 2x2x2 Cube provided the day's sharpest sprints, where Jake Maddox clinched first place with a 2.14 winning average and a best single of 1.43 seconds. Ray Bai claimed second on the 2x2 podium with 2.29, just ahead of Pilat at 2.39. In the Square-1, Dylan Baumbach posted an exceptional winning average of 5.97 seconds, propelled by a 4.56 single, to edge out CJ York at 6.43 and Pilat at 8.18. Across all eight events, every single one of the 24 podium spots went to competitors representing the USA.

Away from the top steps of the podium, significant breakthroughs unfolded on the floor as competitors shattered their personal milestones. Cullen Clark delivered an enormous 63.3 percent improvement on the 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 7.48 seconds, alongside a personal best of 38.31 in the 3x3x3 Cube. Virgil Jon Jordan trimmed 50.4 percent off their 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube best with a 13.96 solve, improved their 4x4x4 mark to 1:49.02, and logged a first ever attempt in one-handed solving at 33.75. Gavin DeVine took on eight events, cutting their Pyraminx best by 48.5 percent to 2.71 seconds and slashing Megaminx down to 1:43.02. Sam Moses improved their 3x3x3 One-Handed mark by 47.4 percent down to 36.79 seconds and set a 3x3x3 personal best of 10.92.

First-time events and debut appearances also highlighted the depth of the weekend field. Jayden Nevins tackled six events in their first WCA competition, recording a 3.62 in 2x2x2, a 17.04 in 3x3x3, and a 1:49.04 in 4x4x4. Grayson Metz-Woodruff also attended their first official event, competing across five categories including a 4.82 in Pyraminx and 46.13 in 3x3x3. Mason Zimmer took on eight disciplines, notching first official attempts in Square-1 at 59.07 and 4x4x4 at 1:44.17 while dropping their one-handed mark by 31.5 percent to 35.25. Bryson Andrews also took on eight events, logging first attempts in Square-1 at 1:02.14, 5x5x5 at 3:08.82, and Megaminx at 2:23.16.

The vibrant atmosphere at Cube More in Ardmore 2024 showed the enduring appeal of competitive speed cubing in Oklahoma. From the sheer speed of the short sprints to the endurance required for the big cubes, every round tested precision and nerve. With sixteen rounds completed smoothly in a single packed Saturday, Cube More in Ardmore 2024 delivered an unforgettable day of competition for both seasoned veterans and energetic newcomers preparing for the next season.