Cubing-on-Hudson AM 2024

The James V. Harmon Community Center was alive with the sharp, rhythmic clatter of plastic mechanisms aligning at high velocity. Tables were arranged across the hall, timers flashed bright green, and scorecards shuffled steadily between judges and stations. For some, the routine of stepping up to a competition mat was familiar territory. For others, holding an official scorecard and watching an official judge lift the inspection cover represented an entirely new chapter. The atmosphere captured the pure essence of speedcubing, where personal milestones matter just as much as podium hardware.

Held on November 17, 2024, Cubing-on-Hudson AM 2024 brought a concentrated field of 28 competitors to Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, USA. The single-day schedule squeezed five intense rounds of action across three distinct disciplines. It was an environment designed for both seasoned contenders chasing podium spots and newcomers finding their footing on the official circuit. Across every station, the spirit of a community-driven cubing competition showed in the shared cheers and focused preparation.

Making a debut at a WCA competition brings a unique blend of nervous energy and rapid learning. First-timers must adapt quickly to the strict fifteen-second inspection window, the sensitivity of the timing pads, and the protocol of the holding areas. Four competitors took that inaugural leap in Hastings-on-Hudson. Noah Peng entered two events, recording a 19.21 in his first attempt at 3x3x3 Cube and a 14.38 in Pyraminx. Emma Cheung took on Pyraminx for the first time, logging a 14.61 single. Samuel Chester completed his first official 3x3x3 Cube solve in 43.44, while Charles Schwarz logged an opening mark of 55.97.

Beyond the newest competitors, the undercard saw established solvers deliver remarkable personal milestones that the final standings easily obscure. Ali Gebai entered three events and secured a 10th-place finish in Clock, trimming his Pyraminx personal best to 4.64, which was 27.2 percent faster than his prior mark of 6.37, alongside a Clock best of 8.83. Hridhaan Shetty dropped his Pyraminx personal best by 24.8 percent down to 3.25 from 4.32, capturing 5th place in the event. Miles Schwarz improved his Pyraminx personal best by 23.3 percent to 3.48 and his 3x3x3 mark to 12.35, placing 9th in Pyraminx across three events.

Progress continued throughout the roster with substantial leaps across multiple events. Noah Cudilla secured 6th in Pyraminx after lowering his personal best by 23.1 percent to 2.83. Lukas Voigt competed in three events, finishing 18th in Clock while dropping his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 20.8 percent to 20.15. Jillian Kruep also contested three disciplines, posting a 13th-place result in Clock and slicing 19.7 percent off her 3x3x3 best down to 20.88. Charlie Vater set a Clock personal best of 9.56, an 18.5 percent drop, taking 15th place, while Buck Adams tackled Clock for the first time in his career, recording a 17.54 across three entered events.

On the international front, Samat Sahetmyradov of Turkmenistan authored one of the standout storylines of the weekend. Sahetmyradov registered a Turkmenistan national record average in the 3x3x3 Cube with a time of 11.65, alongside a 9.83 single. In the second round, Sahetmyradov finished 6th overall in the main event while lowering his 3x3x3 personal best to 9.55, a 13.3 percent improvement over his earlier standard of 11.02. Sahetmyradov also tried Clock for the first time, registering an official 10.48.

When the final round of the classic Rubik's Cube arrived, the race for the top step narrowed to a thrilling battle. Quinn Maloney delivered a standout performance, capturing the 3x3x3 Cube victory with a winning average of 8.92 and a best single of 8.19 across the two rounds. Arnav Kumar pushed hard to take second place with a 9.21 average, while Ishan Donavalli rounded out the podium in third with a 10.09 mark. The final 3x3 results capped an impressive afternoon of speed cubing at the James V. Harmon Community Center.

The alternate events provided equally sharp competition. In Clock, Yuki Nagai claimed the top spot with an average of 4.67 and a single of 4.29 over the single round of 20 entrants. Maloney claimed the silver medal on a 5.06 average, and Ryan Kern captured bronze at 5.81. The Pyraminx contest came down to fractions of a second, as Steven Wintringham took the title with an average of 2.83 and a dazzling best single of 1.72, narrowly edging Nagai who posted a 2.87 average. Maloney completed a trio of podium finishes by taking third with a 3.60 average.

As the timers were packed away and the tables cleared, Cubing-on-Hudson AM 2024 concluded having delivered both high-end hardware and foundational milestones. United States competitors secured all nine podium positions across the three featured disciplines. From first-time solvers stepping up to the mats to record-setting runs on the international stage, the gathering in Hastings-on-Hudson proved how much drama and development can unfold in a single sports hall.