Grizz League III 2023

Inside the University Center in Missoula, Montana, USA, the tables were arranged for a focused day of puzzle solving on November 7, 2023. Five competitors gathered in the university hall, greeting familiar faces and sharing scramble tables throughout the one-day schedule. The small group created a close-knit atmosphere where participants could talk through turning styles, test hardware adjustments, and follow every attempt directly. It was a classic local cubing competition setting, balancing head-to-head timing with the shared camaraderie that defines the regional scene.

This edition of Grizz League III 2023 offered four distinct events across a compact program of four single-round brackets. A standard WCA competition typically brings together a wide variety of puzzle shapes, and this gathering put big cubes and shape-shifting mechanisms front and center. Between scheduled heats, participants compared notes on corner-cutting and shared solving insights across the floor. Even without standard 3x3 results on the schedule, conversation frequently touched on general Rubik's Cube technique and finger dexterity as solvers prepared for larger multi-layered challenges.

The competitive narrative of the day was shaped entirely by Clément Cherblanc representing France, who claimed the top podium step across all four events. The schedule featured Megaminx, 6x6x6 Cube, 7x7x7 Cube, and Square-1, providing a thorough test of mechanical endurance and specialized algorithmic knowledge. While the field was small, the standard of speedcubing at the top of each event was exceptionally high, led by Cherblanc's consistent execution through every format.

Action began on the twelve-sided Megaminx, the most populous bracket of the day with all five participants taking part. Cherblanc paced the field comfortably, registering a winning average of 56.67 seconds and a best single attempt of 54.74 seconds. Ben Streeter of the United States secured the second-place finish with a 2:41.71 average, having posted a best single of 2:27.24. Theodore Mayer took third place with a 3:44.59 average, highlighted by a single solve of 3:17.82, completing a podium that brought together seasoned hands and determined local racers.

The 6x6x6 Cube brought four competitors to the timing mats for a rigorous test of parity management and edge alignment. Cherblanc again dictated the pace, putting together a winning average of 2:02.14 alongside a best single solve of 2:00.39. Mayer took second place on the podium with an 11:50.00 average after recording a single of 9:29.09. Kegan Stipe rounded out the top three with a single solve of 7:42.69, while London Gregory Meservy also contested the round with a single time of 17:58.00 in the deep puzzle division.

The challenge scaled up even further in the 7x7x7 Cube, where three solvers lined up to manage the largest puzzle of the meeting. Cherblanc completed his big-cube double by logging a victorious average of 3:03.53 and delivering a best single solve of 2:56.03. Streeter claimed the runner-up position with an average of 7:55.79 and a single effort of 7:44.07, while Meservy took the third podium spot with a single time of 20:19.00. The discipline demanded intense patience and stamina under the official timer.

The fourth discipline contested at Grizz League III 2023 was Square-1, a shape-shifting puzzle known for its distinct layer mechanics and cutting-angle challenges. Cherblanc finished his sweep of the four brackets by producing a winning average of 13.53 seconds, backed by a quick single solve of 9.10 seconds. Streeter took second place with an average of 23.74 seconds to close out the two-competitor field, adding another podium finish to his active day at the tables.

Across the four rounds, the medal tally reflected a productive day for both visiting and domestic racers, with competitors from the United States collecting seven total podium placements while France earned four. The tight-knit nature of speed cubing at the university allowed every competitor to play an active role as both participant and supportive peer. Solvers assisted one another with logistics, tracking attempts and ensuring the schedule ran smoothly from the opening solve to the final awards.

As the afternoon drew to a close, Grizz League III 2023 wrapped up having delivered four complete podium battles in a relaxed, community-centered environment. The gathering demonstrated how an intimate local circuit can offer serious competitive testing alongside a collaborative space for puzzle enthusiasts in the region. With the equipment packed away, the participants parted ways, looking ahead to the next season of competitive solving across the region.