Lex Mini II 2024

Evan Brown delivered a masterclass in efficiency and concentration in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, securing a winning 24.00 average in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves after a brilliant single solve of 22 moves. That decisive triumph set the tone for an action-packed weekend at the Lexington Public Library Marksbury Family Branch on May 25 and May 26, 2024. Across two days of intense speedcubing action, a dedicated group of 14 competitors gathered to contest 8 rounds across 7 diverse disciplines, creating an intimate yet fiercely competitive environment for every participant involved.

The 2024 tournament highlighted the full spectrum of competitive twisty puzzle disciplines, from traditional Rubik's Cube variants to specialized mechanical puzzles. Evan Brown stood out across multiple formats, showing remarkable versatility on both small and large cubes. In addition to his tactical FMC victory, Brown took top honors in the 4x4x4 Cube, 6x6x6 Cube, and 3x3x3 Blindfolded events. The standard of play throughout the weekend proved that a focused field of competitors can generate extraordinary drama on the official stage.

In the 4x4x4 Cube event, Brown captured first place with an average time of 36.75 seconds, backed by a best single of 29.87 seconds. Garrett Hadaway pushed him hard, taking second place with an average of 39.91 seconds, while Carson Miller secured third place in 40.06 seconds. Brown continued his strong run in the 6x6x6 Cube, clocking a winning average of 2:01.99 with a best effort of 1:56.69. Miller earned the runner-up position with an average of 2:24.80, and Hadaway rounded out the podium at 2:33.02.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded discipline demanded immense focus and memorisation, where Brown once again prevailed by registering the only sub-two-minute single at 1:22.99 to claim first place. Lucas Hatfield finished in second place with a successful single solve of 3:37.03, while Dominic Brandi took third place with a time of 8:15.34. The event proved unforgiving for many competitors, with several solvers recording DNFs as they pushed their limits against the clock.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several under-the-radar competitors delivered exceptional milestones across the board. Emery McFeeter took on 6 events and achieved a massive personal best in Skewb of 8.96 seconds, which was 39.7% faster than their previous best of 14.87 seconds, while also logging a 6x6x6 Cube personal best of 4:01.43, a 9.4% improvement, and making a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with 53 moves to finish 6th. Skyler McFeeter tackled 3 events and produced remarkable time drops, cutting their Skewb personal best by 31.6% down to 37.75 seconds and lowering their Clock personal best by 22.6% to 18.32 seconds, earning a best finish of 9th in Skewb.

Other competitors also embraced new challenges at this cubing competition with significant breakthroughs. Ryan Huo entered 2 events and completed their first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 2:09.03 to place 9th. Harrison Mullins competed in 5 events, recording a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 21.19 seconds and tackling 3x3x3 Fewest Moves for the first time with a mark of 48 moves to complement a 4th-place finish in 6x6x6 Cube. Eric Dodson entered 7 events, establishing a 3x3x3 Fewest Moves personal best of 48 moves and finishing 4th in Clock, while Lewis Isom took on 5 events and secured a 4th-place finish in 3x3x3 Blindfolded.

Harsha Paladugu asserted authority in both Clock and 3x3x3 One-Handed, claiming victory in two distinct specialties. In the two-round Clock event, Paladugu led the pack with a 5.25-second winning average, ahead of Echo Calangi at 6.35 seconds and Dominic Brandi at 8.16 seconds. Paladugu then demonstrated supreme one-handed control, capturing first place with a 15.22-second average to edge out Brown, who finished second in 15.68 seconds, while Hatfield placed third in 20.55 seconds. In Skewb, Dominic Brandi took top honors with an impressive 3.95-second average, followed closely by Jake M. Hanson at 4.17 seconds and Brown at 6.64 seconds.

Every single one of the 21 podium positions at this WCA competition was claimed by United States competitors, underlining the local depth of talent in the region. The meeting delivered compelling 3x3 results across alternative methods while showcasing the rewarding nature of speed cubing for solvers of all experience levels. With four event titles for Brown, two for Paladugu, and one for Brandi, Lex Mini II 2024 concluded as a memorable showcase of precision, speed, and competitive spirit.

As the equipment was packed away at the Lexington Public Library, the weekend stood as a testament to the dedication required across modern speedcubing disciplines. Whether solving big cubes in rapid succession, turning single-handed, or mapping out fewest-move solutions on paper, competitors found ways to push their boundaries. Lex Mini II 2024 provided a stage where both seasoned champions and emerging talents could measure their progress and celebrate notable achievements.