Lexington Weeknights IV 2024

The tables inside the Lexington Knights of Columbus filled quickly on July 29, 2024, as competitors settled in for an evening of focused solves and rapid turns. Stacks of mats and digital timers were arranged across the floor, ready for an intensive evening schedule in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Before the first official countdown began, the room was already humming with the rhythmic clicking of plastic pieces being inspected, aligned, and scrambled across three distinct disciplines.

A major story of the evening was the sheer volume of fresh talent arriving on the official stage. For several speedcubing newcomers, this single-day cubing competition marked their first ever entry into the World Cube Association ranks. Across the roster of 28 competitors, the influx of first-timers added genuine energy to the venue, proving that local weeknight gatherings remain one of the most accessible gateways for aspiring solvers aiming to test their skills under standard competition regulations.

In the premier event, the traditional Rubik's Cube brought a full field of 28 solvers to the tables. Gabriel Garber Burd put together a dominant showing to capture the title, finishing with a winning average of 7.85 seconds alongside the single fastest solve of the evening at 7.19 seconds. Jeffrey Li took second place on the podium with a 9.21 average and a 7.55 single, while Derek White earned third place with a 9.49 average and an 8.49 single. These top 3x3 results set a high standard for the entire meet.

Beyond the standard 3x3, the schedule pushed into big cube territory with both 5x5x5 Cube and 7x7x7 Cube events. Across four rounds of play over the course of the evening, Jeffrey Li swept the multi-layered categories. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Li secured victory with a winning average of 53.00 seconds and a round-best single of 46.88 seconds. Gabriel Garber Burd followed in second at 1:00.68, and Derek White placed third with a mark of 1:11.43 after two competitive rounds of 15 solvers.

The massive 7x7x7 Cube demanded endurance and concentration from its 13 entrants, and Jeffrey Li delivered once again. Li claimed first place with a winning average of 2:08.42 and a best single of 2:00.21. Gabriel Garber Burd secured the runner-up spot with an average of 3:06.17, while Gage Coon joined them on the podium in third place with a time of 3:31.27. Across all three events, every single podium spot was claimed by competitors representing the USA.

Away from the top of the podium, several solvers delivered notable breakthroughs across the tournament. Aden Morgan-Foster achieved a massive personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube of 19.97 seconds, which was 20.1 percent faster than their previous mark of 25.00, earning a 22nd place finish. Connor Stamos also made a sharp drop, cutting 16.3 percent off their prior best to post a 16.84 second average and take 19th. Dylan Girouard took on three events, highlighted by a personal best average of 4:07.68 in the 7x7x7 Cube, which was 14.2 percent faster than their previous 4:48.57, on the way to a 7th place finish. Luke Chestnutt entered three events and improved their 5x5x5 Cube mark by 3.8 percent with a new personal best of 1:21.27.

The excitement of new milestones continued with several competitors taking their first steps on the official stage. Micah Ajami attended their first WCA competition, recording their first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube with a result of 21.48 seconds to finish 24th. Vosh Paulino also made their debut, logging a first ever attempt of 23.98 seconds for 25th place. Edward Omondi completed their first official attempt at 3x3x3 Cube in 39.98 seconds to place 27th, while Neil Mudusu recorded an initial mark of 44.36 seconds in their first competition to place 28th.

The fast-paced format of Lexington Weeknights IV 2024 proved ideal for both seasoned solvers testing their efficiency and newcomers building foundational experience. Hosting four total rounds in a single evening allowed participants to experience the rhythm of tournament play without a multi-day commitment, keeping the speed cubing spirit thriving in Massachusetts.

By the time the final awards were settled, Lexington Weeknights IV 2024 had delivered a balanced showcase of elite execution and inspiring individual milestones. Competitors packed up their puzzles and parted ways, leaving Lexington with updated rankings, newly etched personal records, and another successful weeknight chapter written for the 2024 season.