Flex in Lex 2023

The tables at Eastland Church were filled with timers, mats, and turning puzzles on August 19, 2023, as a field of 83 competitors gathered for Flex in Lex 2023. Speedcubing action unfolded across 13 rounds and six distinct disciplines, bringing together solvers from around the region to test their preparation in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. From the opening scrambles to the final podiums, the cubing competition delivered rapid solves and intense matchups across every table.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew 82 entrants, creating three packed rounds of classic Rubik's Cube action. Luke Griesser of the United States set the benchmark for the entire weekend, capturing first place with a remarkable winning average of 5.72 and posting a best single of 5.52. Griesser also logged standout performances with a 5.32 single and a 6.20 average during the competition, establishing absolute control over the premier category.

The rest of the 3x3 podium featured exceptional depth and razor-thin margins. Miles Lentz secured second place for the USA with an 8.11 average, backed by an earlier 7.55 single and an 8.38 average. Braden Richards rounded out the top three with an 8.23 mark, having previously turned in an 8.25 single and a 9.80 average. Further down the 3x3 results, Evan Brown registered an 8.11 single, Henry Powell hit 8.94, and Maksymilian Misiak of Poland notched an 8.85 single.

Beyond the main event, Luke Griesser completed a double victory by seizing the 4x4x4 Cube crown against 51 contenders. Griesser recorded a decisive winning average of 30.07 along with the weekend's fastest 4x4 single at 25.47. Miles Lentz took the runner-up spot with a 32.39 average, while Maksymilian Misiak claimed third place for Poland with a mark of 33.97, completing a hard-fought two rounds of big cube solving.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several solvers reached personal milestones across multiple events. Cody Strother tackled six disciplines, slicing 42.9 percent off his previous benchmark with an 11.24 Clock single, dropping his Pyraminx best by 14.7 percent to 4.75, and posting a 23.10 in his first ever Square-1 attempt. Luke D. Stivers improved his Skewb personal best by 39.6 percent to 7.53, cut 21.9 percent off his 4x4x4 Cube best to reach 1:42.56, and improved by 15.1 percent in Pyraminx to record an 8.86 single. Grant Daniel Po'oi knocked 35.4 percent off his 4x4x4 personal best with a 1:28.71 solve while taking on his first official attempts in Clock at 15.10 and Skewb at 15.01.

The spirit of speed cubing was equally visible in competitors taking on new puzzles and entering their very first official matches. Justin Poole delivered a 14.70 Clock personal best to beat his old mark by 38.7 percent, alongside first-time attempts of 7.12 in Skewb and 8.22 in Pyraminx. Daniel Wadhams improved his Skewb mark by 17.3 percent to 9.88 and made first attempts in Pyraminx with 14.41 and Clock with 54.36. Neel Godbole lowered his Pyraminx record by 23.1 percent to 11.23, while Timothy Shellenberger navigated his first WCA competition with a 16.32 3x3, a 10.41 Skewb, and a 1:39.47 4x4 solve. Liam Courtney Collins also debuted at the WCA level, turning in an impressive 13.18 3x3 single, an 8.35 Skewb, and a 10.10 Pyraminx mark.

The side events provided thrilling variety throughout the program. In Clock, Braden Richards captured the title with a 6.80 average, edging out Evan Brown at 7.30 and Harrison Mullins at 7.47. Steven Wintringham dominated the Pyraminx division, securing victory with a rapid 2.21 average and a 1.80 single, leading Braden Richards at 3.41 and Maksymilian Misiak at 4.56 across two competitive rounds.

In Skewb, Dominic Brandi earned the gold with a 4.29 average and a 3.20 single, holding off Tyler Buel at 4.78 and Evan Brown at 5.39. Square-1 delivered an exceptionally close battle, as Maksymilian Misiak took first place for Poland with an 11.04 average and a 7.51 single, narrowly defeating Aidan Halloran who finished at 11.14, while Braden Richards placed third at 12.59.

Across all disciplines, American competitors earned 15 podium placements, while Poland captured three podium positions courtesy of Misiak. The single-day tournament brought an energetic finish to the August calendar in Kentucky, leaving participants with fresh personal bests and memorable performances across every round at Flex in Lex 2023.