Michigan Mini 16 2024

A total of 9 competitors assembled at the Morris J. Lawrence Building on March 1, 2024, focusing all their mental energy on a singular challenge. Hosted in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, Michigan Mini 16 2024 offered a specialized format entirely dedicated to the meticulous discipline of 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Rather than the frantic turning speeds typically associated with a standard speedcubing event, this WCA competition tested pure efficiency and deep analytical understanding across a single intensive round of play.

Securing the top spot in the single round of competition was Owen Widdis, who produced a winning average of 27.33 turns along with the lowest single score of the gathering at 23 moves. In a discipline where competitors spend an hour dissecting the mechanics of the Rubik's Cube to craft the shortest possible solution sequence, consistency across three solves is paramount. Widdis maintained complete command over his reconstructions, outperforming a compact but highly experienced field of speed cubing specialists.

Right behind the champion, Luke Garrett took second place on the podium with an impressive average of 29.00 moves and a best single attempt of 27 turns. Garrett was the only other entrant to record a sub-30 average during the contest. The competition for the third position on the podium ended in a dead heat, as Justin Sui and Hunter Mackler matched each other exactly with an average of 36.67 moves, each posting a top single solution of 32 moves.

Beyond the podium positions, several experienced solvers contributed to the dense lineup of 3x3 results on the board. James Hildreth turned in a fifth-place finish overall, submitting a standout single solve of 28 moves that supported an overall three-attempt average of 39.33 turns. Every turn saved in this event demands immense patience and careful branch-mapping on paper, making low move counts a testament to thorough analytical preparation at Michigan Mini 16 2024.

The deeper layer of the results sheet at Michigan Mini 16 2024 highlights notable personal milestones from dedicated participants. Ansel de Jong marked a major personal step by logging his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, immediately proving his analytical capability with a single solution of 31 moves to earn a best finish of 7th place overall. Meanwhile, Doug Li navigated the round with steady focus, delivering a single solve of 38 turns and locking in a best finish of 6th place with a final average of 41.33 moves.

Other veteran competitors similarly made their presence felt through individual high points across the three scheduled solves. Yuxuan Chen put together a strong single performance of 32 moves to secure a best finish of 8th place in the final standings. Keenan Darkins matched that competitive spirit by finding an efficient 33-move solution during his attempts, achieving a best finish of 9th place in the specialized field.

The single-event structure gave this meeting a uniquely focused rhythm compared to a standard multi-event cubing competition. In fewest moves solving, athletes do not race against a ticking stopwatch in real time, but rather explore blockbuilding, edge orientation, and commutator insertions on paper. Every recorded single below the 35-move mark reflected a deep command of cube theory in the Ann Arbor region during 2024.

With the conclusion of Michigan Mini 16 2024, the local community wrapped up a concise yet rigorous showcase of high-level problem solving. The event underscored the breadth of speedcubing disciplines, proving that the quiet calculations of fewest moves are just as compelling as rapid turns on stage as athletes look ahead to their next competitive opportunities.