Cubing in Oak Creek 2024

Eighty-eight competitors gathered under one roof as the Oak Creek High School 9th Grade Center welcomed solvers from across the region and beyond on August 10, 2024. Puzzlers charted their journey to Oak Creek, Wisconsin, USA, for a fast-paced day featuring 6 separate disciplines and 12 total rounds of play. While local contenders filled the tables, the draw of a sanctioned WCA competition brought international presence into the mix, highlighted by Ukrainian competitor Volodymyr Kapustianskyi who made the long trip count. Whether making short local commutes or logging substantial miles, the assembly delivered a packed showcase of modern speedcubing.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest drew a massive field of 83 entrants, demanding consistency across three rigorous stages of competition. Brian Johnson emerged at the top of the field, capturing first place with an exceptional 6.22 winning average and logging a best single solve of 5.79. Ben Zhao secured the runner-up spot with an average of 6.97, while Henry Lichner rounded out the podium in third at 7.00. The standard Rubik's Cube battle produced sharp times throughout, giving followers plenty to digest when tracking the final 3x3 results across the weekend bracket.

Beyond the main event, Brian Johnson extended his dominance into the Pyraminx category, where 64 participants clashed across two rounds. Johnson earned his second title of the gathering with a blistering 2.10 average, propelled by a rapid single of 1.50. Nathan Rahn secured the silver medal with a 2.44 average, while Zeke Mackay locked down third place with a 2.90 mark. Johnson's dual victories in both Pyraminx and the classic speed cubing flagship marked him as the standout multi-event performer of the day.

A total of 18 podium positions were awarded across the roster, with competitors from the United States claiming 17 and Ukraine securing one. That lone international victory came in the Clock event, where 60 competitors tackled the geared puzzle over three rounds. Volodymyr Kapustianskyi captured the title with a tournament-leading 3.02 average, bolstered by a 2.64 single. Carter Thomas took second place with a 3.19 average, followed closely by Reed W. Richardson in third at 4.24, highlighting the competitive depth present at Cubing in Oak Creek 2024.

The 4x4x4 Cube and Megaminx brackets delivered equally fierce races among the upper tiers of the standings. In the 58-player 4x4x4 Cube contest, Henry Lichner topped the single-round showdown with a winning average of 26.66 and a best single effort of 21.52, outpacing Carter Thomas at 29.82 and Zeke Mackay at 29.89. In the twelve-sided Megaminx event, Austin Worley navigated two rounds against 45 rivals to claim first place with a 40.16 average. Mackay took second on a 41.96 mark, and Zhao collected third at 43.57, while Brayden Thompson led 29 contenders to win 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a 21.35 single.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors logged remarkable milestones and personal breakthroughs. Jacob Riley Nix took on 5 separate events and delivered an eye-catching 70.1 percent improvement in the 4x4x4 Cube with a personal best of 1:17.01, alongside first-ever official attempts in Clock at 11.71 and Megaminx at 2:13.95. Megan Selle slashed 49.1 percent off her 3x3x3 Cube benchmark with a 32.82 personal best, also recording debut runs in Pyraminx at 20.31 and Clock at 24.46. Sam Krueger dropped 61.9 percent off their Pyraminx mark to record a 2.52 personal best, while Maxwell Kulasa achieved a 41.9 percent cut to reach 23.49 on the 3x3x3 Cube, improved their Megaminx mark to 3:14.53, and tackled their first official 4x4x4 Cube solve at 2:02.18.

New milestones continued across the floor as solvers embraced fresh challenges across unfamiliar formats. Louis Funk entered all 6 events, securing a best finish of 15th place in 3x3x3 Blindfolded on a maiden 3:14.86 solve while shaving 25.5 percent off their Clock personal best with a 6.91. Benjamin Previte tackled 5 events, registering debuts in Megaminx at 3:45.26, 4x4x4 Cube at 2:27.13, and Clock at 26.39. Spencer Lieu took on 4 events, setting a Pyraminx personal best of 7.36 with a 34.6 percent improvement and posting first-time marks of 2:29.11 on the 4x4x4 Cube and 18.61 in Clock. Meanwhile, newcomer Micah Krenz entered their very first tournament, taking on 5 events, finishing 24th in 4x4x4 Cube with a 50.76 debut, and adding maiden attempts in Clock at 12.89 and Megaminx at 1:05.29.

The single-day schedule proved to be a comprehensive test of puzzle variety, ranging from the geometric intricacies of Megaminx to the precise memorisation and spatial execution required in the blindfolded discipline. With 88 participants rotating through 12 total rounds, Cubing in Oak Creek 2024 provided an intense slate of action for every traveler in the venue. The tournament offered both seasoned performers and fresh entrants an ideal stage to establish new benchmarks across all six formats.

As the final solves concluded at Oak Creek High School 9th Grade Center, the day stood as a testament to the thriving regional cubing competition circuit. From Kapustianskyi's overseas triumph to the numerous personal bests set across the board, the tournament rewarded everyone who made the trip. With results certified and equipment packed away, Cubing in Oak Creek 2024 wrapped up a memorable chapter of speedcubing excellence in Wisconsin.