Kenosha First A 2024

Inside the Todd Wehr Center, the rhythmic clatter of plastic pieces and the hum of timers filled the air as tables stayed busy throughout the single-day gathering. Kenosha First A 2024 welcomed a vibrant mix of seasoned entrants and newcomers taking their very first official turns at the solving mat. Across Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA on November 16, 2024, the hall bustled with 64 competitors ready to tackle six separate disciplines across 13 total rounds. The atmosphere captured the unique energy of a classic speedcubing competition.

For many in attendance, the gathering represented an essential milestone in their speed cubing journey. Novices stepped up alongside seasoned hands, navigating the strict timing regulations and judge procedures that define a sanctioned WCA competition. The sheer volume of newcomers taking their opening official solves brought an infectious enthusiasm to every round, reminding everyone that every established talent once sat down for their first official attempt at the Rubik's Cube under the watchful eye of a delegate.

The spotlight shone brightly on several rising figures who logged remarkable personal milestones and expanded their repertoires throughout the day. Chieh-Ying Lin delivered a standout performance in Skewb, recording an average of 6.10 to improve their previous mark by 43.6 percent, alongside a 9.3 percent drop in Clock down to 14.10. Sam Krueger took on three events and slashed their 2x2x2 Cube average by 33.2 percent to finish at 3.52. Daniel Gilbert made an official debut in Clock with a time of 1:29.62, while shaving 32.1 percent off their 2x2x2 Cube mark to reach 9.66. Zachary Kaczmarczyk entered five events, cutting 31 percent off their Skewb best with a 7.11 and finishing 12th in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded field.

First-time appearances and multi-discipline expansions continued across the roster. Richard Alexander Bolanos dropped 30 percent from their Skewb personal record to reach 5.74 and improved in Clock by 19 percent with an 11.34. Amanda Sugiharto took on four events, completing a first official 5x5x5 Cube attempt in 2:47.63 and securing 7th place in 3x3x3 Blindfolded. Rowan Juergensen completed their first official tournament by entering four disciplines, logging opening marks of 26.90 in the main event, 8.43 in 2x2x2 Cube, and 3:59.13 in 5x5x5 Cube. Adam Schilder also made an impressive debut across three events, delivering initial marks of 4.07 in 2x2x2 Cube, 5.15 in Skewb, and 13.36 on the traditional cube.

When the final rounds commenced at Kenosha First A 2024, Luke Garrett put on a masterclass in the short-format puzzles. Garrett captured the top spot in the 3x3x3 Cube, posting a winning average of 6.15 across the three rounds of competition, supported by a blazing single of 4.46 that stood as the fastest solve of the tournament. Brian Johnson finished in second place with a 6.52 average, while Carter Kucala secured third on the podium with a 7.54 average, concluding an intensely competitive set of 3x3 results.

Garrett doubled his gold tally in the 2x2x2 Cube, leading a 56-competitor bracket across three rounds to take first place with a winning average of 1.37 and a best single of 1.08. Brian Johnson earned silver with an average of 1.55, and Carter Kucala took the bronze step with a 2.10 average. The rapid pace of the 2x2x2 event kept the judging stations running at peak intensity from the morning preliminaries to the afternoon finals.

Carter Thomas demonstrated exceptional range across both mechanical and big-cube formats, claiming victories in two distinct categories. In Clock, Thomas topped the 39-competitor field with a winning average of 2.92 and a tournament-best single of 2.70, finishing ahead of Garrett's 4.28 and Lucas Lippman-Bruno's 5.02. Thomas also conquered the 5x5x5 Cube, averaging 50.54 with a 46.69 single to edge Garrett, who took second in 51.54, while Lippman-Bruno completed the podium in 58.64.

Carter Kucala capped the weekend with two titles of his own, winning both the Skewb and 3x3x3 Blindfolded events. In Skewb, Kucala led the two-round contest of 39 competitors with a winning average of 2.32 and a single of 1.73, holding off Johnson's 3.16 and Jory Hullin's 3.52. Kucala then handled the memorisation and execution demands of blindfolded solving to win the 18-competitor event with a 23.94 single, with Garrett placing second at 44.75 and Lippman-Bruno finishing third in 1:10.66.

Across all disciplines, American competitors claimed all 18 available podium positions, capping an eventful day of personal milestones and top-tier execution. Kenosha First A 2024 provided a stage where first-time entrants found their footing and veteran competitors refined their skills for the next season of tournament play.