FMCats Wisconsin III 2024

Inside a private residence in Colgate, Wisconsin, USA, the quiet atmosphere on October 27, 2024, was broken only by the rhythmic turning of plastic layers and the scratching of pens on scrap paper. Competitors spent sixty uninterrupted minutes per attempt searching for efficient solutions, breaking down scrambles branch by branch. Unlike the rapid-fire turns of standard speedcubing events, this specialized cubing competition rewarded patience, deep analysis, and steady tactical choices over raw turning speed.

The single-discipline gathering at FMCats Wisconsin III 2024 brought together a focused field of 15 competitors dedicated exclusively to the nuances of 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Across two rounds of play, solvers worked to deliver minimal move counts on standard Rubik's Cube scrambles. The unique format allowed participants to explore alternate insertions and skeleton paths, turning the 2024 gathering into a showcase of steady progress where personal bests fell consistently across both rounds.

Evan Brown captured first place in the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves contest, topping the standings with a winning average of 23.33 moves alongside a best single of 21 in the final round. Brown demonstrated remarkable consistency across the weekend, matching Brian Johnson on that exact same 23.33 average mark. Brown secured the top step of the podium via his earlier single count, while Simon Kellum finished closely behind in third place with a 23.67 average to complete the United States podium sweep.

Beyond the final podium, the overall 3x3 results in the discipline revealed an exceptionally close battle among the top tier. Johnson posted a standout single of 20 moves during his run, matching Kellum and fourth-place finisher Noah Swor, who also recorded personal best single solutions of 20 moves. The tight margins at the top reflected the high degree of preparation competitors brought to the tables in Colgate, where single-move swings determined the final hierarchy.

A major story of the weekend was the substantial personal growth achieved throughout the field, far beyond what basic ranking tables capture. Jameson R. Sramek delivered one of the most striking leaps at FMCats Wisconsin III 2024, lowering a 3x3x3 Fewest Moves personal best to 33, which marked a 23.3 percent improvement over a previous mark of 43 on the way to a 9th-place finish. Zach Baruch also made significant headway, cutting down to a personal best of 24 moves, an improvement of 14.3 percent from a previous best of 28.

That forward momentum extended across the roster in equal measure. Noah Swor sharpened an already elite baseline by notching a personal best of 20, improving 4.8 percent from 21 while locking down 4th place. Keenan Darkins improved his personal record by 3.6 percent to secure a 27-move solution. Meanwhile, Logan Maciejewski earned a best finish of 6th place, Joshua Feran claimed 7th place, Lucas Lippman-Bruno secured 8th place, and Braden Richards took a 10th-place finish in the competitive field.

The efficiency displayed across both rounds highlighted how technical speed cubing theory translates into real-time execution when the clock is running. Every competitor faced identical scrambles under strict time constraints, needing to verify their written notations accurately before submitting their sheets. The deliberate pacing allowed entrants to test new cancellation techniques and blockbuilding strategies that are impossible to execute during standard high-speed solving.

The action in Colgate wrapped up after two rounds of intense calculation, leaving a trail of improved metrics and refined techniques. Every single entrant contested the exact same puzzle, proving how deep the technical knowledge runs within the community. As the 2024 season moves toward its next chapter, the benchmarks established at FMCats Wisconsin III 2024 will serve as the new standard of efficiency for every solver who took part in this memorable WCA competition.