Going Fast in Grandview 2024

A blistering 1.35 average in the 2x2x2 Cube opening round set the tone for Brian Johnson, who proceeded to stage an absolute masterclass at the Arrington Place Event Center. The American standout turned the single-day gathering into a personal showcase, capturing four gold medals across six events. His sharp turns and steady pacing proved unbeatable throughout the day, establishing an early standard that defined the entire tournament.

Held in Grandview, Missouri, USA on March 23, 2024, Going Fast in Grandview 2024 gathered 76 competitors across 12 fast-paced rounds. The cubing competition presented a diverse program featuring classic puzzles alongside unique formats like Clock and Skewb. Throughout the weekend, speedcubing enthusiasts watched the United States sweep all 18 available podium positions, underscoring the remarkable depth of regional talent competing in the venue.

The centerpiece of any WCA competition remains the traditional 3x3x3 Cube, where Johnson continued his winning ways. Navigating through three competitive rounds, he posted a best single of 5.46 before securing the championship with a 6.88 winning average in the final. The 3x3 results saw Simon Kellum claim second place with a 9.16 average, while Carter Kucala took third on the podium with a 9.49 mark.

Johnson extended his reach into specialized formats, mastering both big cubes and unconventional grips. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, he captured first place with an 11.36 average, leaving Kucala in second at 13.36 and Kellum in third at 14.71. Moving over to the 5x5x5 Cube, Johnson delivered again across a 39-competitor field, logging a winning average of 55.04 to edge out Kucala at 55.71, with Lydia Workman finishing third at 1:00.74.

The 2x2x2 Cube final confirmed Johnson's complete command of the smaller puzzles as he logged a 1.57 winning average. Kellum took the silver step with 2.21, closely followed by Kucala in third at 2.49. In the remaining two disciplines, other contenders found room at the top. Chris Van Der Brink secured the Clock title with a crisp 4.38 average ahead of Kucala's 5.23, while Kucala won Skewb with a 2.53 average over Johnson's 2.63.

Beyond the championship battles, the tournament saw remarkable individual breakthroughs that never appeared on the podium. Luke Perkins shaved significant time across multiple events, lowering his Skewb mark to 6.66 for a 52.5 percent improvement and trimming his 2x2x2 Cube best to 4.53, while also taking his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with 40.34. Jack Price chopped his one-handed mark by 50.1 percent down to 41.37 and recorded his first official 5x5x5 Cube finish at 2:58.25. Jackson Scott Hill delivered a 12.23 Clock average, improving by 48.8 percent, while Wendell Gundy accelerated his 3x3x3 Cube best to 19.29, marking a 40 percent jump alongside his debut in Skewb at 15.75.

The field was further enlivened by competitors taking on challenging debuts and vast multi-event slates. Cooper Gilliam competed in six categories, securing a best finish of 6th in 2x2x2 Cube while trying Clock for the first time with an 11.87 result. Levi Swanson advanced his Skewb mark to 10.25, which was 36.6 percent faster than before, while also clocking a first official one-handed effort of 30.45. Peter Aho tackled six events in their first WCA competition, including an initial 3x3x3 Cube time of 11.42 and a 25th-place finish in 5x5x5 Cube. Andrew R. Dunn also made their tournament debut across six events, posting an initial 5.50 in 2x2x2 Cube and 11.74 in Clock.

With 12 rounds completed in a single action-packed day, Going Fast in Grandview 2024 highlighted the vibrant state of speed cubing in the region. Whether mastering the classic Rubik's Cube or breaking personal barriers in auxiliary disciplines, competitors made the most of their appearances on the Grandview floor, setting high standards as the competitive calendar moves forward.