Flex in Lex 2024

A scintillating 5.93-second winning average in the 3x3x3 Cube final by Luke Griesser set an untouchable standard in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Held at Eastland Church on October 19, 2024, the single-day gathering brought together 68 competitors across 6 events and 11 rounds of intense action. Griesser capped off his stellar run with a best single of 4.63 seconds, pulling away from a competitive field of 66 entrants in the headline discipline to capture the top prize.

The 3x3 results confirmed the pedigree of established speedcubing talent while highlighting the depth of the regional scene. Griesser was joined on the marquee podium by Cayden O'Neal, who secured second place with an 8.41 average, and Kevin Min, who took third with an 8.45 mark. The competition served as a masterclass in poise, with seasoned hands navigating three rounds of the classic Rubik's Cube to deliver sub-nine-second averages under final-round pressure.

Beyond the premier puzzle, Flex in Lex 2024 showcased remarkable variety across several WCA competition disciplines. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Sujan Feist claimed first place with an extraordinary 1.67-second average, punctuated by a best single of 0.94 seconds across two rounds. Feist led a field of 63 solvers, holding off Henry Powell, who took silver with a 3.18 average, and Keenan Darkins, who collected third place with a 3.19 mark in a tight battle for podium spots.

The alternate puzzles brought additional triumphs for experienced competitors across the board. In Skewb, Kevin Min rose to the top of 56 contenders, taking the gold medal with a 3.54 average and a 2.96 single. Dominic Brandi followed in second at 3.80, while Jake M. Hanson placed third at 4.31. Meanwhile, Keenan Darkins earned victory in Clock, averaging 5.93 across two rounds to edge out Kevin Min at 6.20 and Evan Brown at 6.45 among 43 competitors.

The longer formats demanded deep focus and technical mastery. Lucy Grace Bryson conquered Megaminx, averaging 42.82 seconds to take the title over 38 rivals, besting Luke Griesser's 44.12 and Garrett Hadaway's 56.32. Griesser was back on the podium in Square-1, finishing third with a 16.33 average behind runner-up Evan Brown at 14.62 and champion Braden Richards, whose winning 11.75 average led the 26-competitor field after posting a 10.68 best single.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the weekend was defined by major milestones and dramatic time drops from dedicated participants. Josie Smith achieved a massive 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 9.50 seconds, which was 65.6 percent faster than her prior mark of 27.65. Ethan Kopechek took on six events and registered a huge Square-1 personal best of 38.70 seconds, shaving 52.9 percent off his previous 1:22.16 benchmark. Asher Shores improved his Clock mark by 37.2 percent down to 17.91 seconds, while Troy Steuber dropped his Skewb personal best to 6.48 seconds, an improvement of 32.9 percent.

Fresh challenges and debuts brought extra energy to the venue floor. Jake Sargent completed his first WCA competition by tackling five events, recording a 3.70 in 2x2x2 Cube and finishing 23rd in Megaminx. David Sellards also made his speed cubing debut, taking on four events and delivering a 3.81 single in 2x2x2 Cube alongside a 26th-place finish in Megaminx. Jackson Williams logged a 33.9 percent improvement in Clock with a time of 28.74 seconds, while Steve Albert took on six events and secured a 21.7 percent drop in Square-1 down to 27.14 seconds.

The 2024 edition of Flex in Lex 2024 wrapped up with all 18 podium positions claimed by competitors representing the USA. From lightning-fast 2x2 sprints to the geometric complexities of Megaminx, the cubing competition provided a comprehensive test of dexterity and mental stamina. As the tournament drew to a close, the impressive performances set a strong tone for the region heading into the remainder of the competitive calendar.