Michigan Mini 24 2024

The competition floor at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Center was filled with familiar focus and routine as timers flickered to life. Competitors adjusted their mats, inspected mechanisms, and settled into the rhythm of a focused single-day meet in Plymouth, Michigan, USA. Bringing together 23 competitors for six fast-paced rounds across three distinct puzzles on October 21, 2024, the gathering offered a crisp test of technique. With veteran solvers stepping back up to the tables, the atmosphere reflected the deep institutional knowledge that anchors high-level speed cubing.

Michigan Mini 24 2024 provided a tight, specialised schedule that rewarded endurance and execution across both standard and big-cube categories. Across the day, seasoned campaigners demonstrated their enduring form against the clock. The lineup challenged participants across the classic 3x3x3 Cube, the 5x5x5 Cube, and the demanding 6x6x6 Cube. For many who have spent years attending each regional WCA competition, this stop in the 2024 circuit was an opportunity to reaffirm their standing at the top of the leaderboards.

The flagship Rubik's Cube division brought 23 competitors to the tables through three rounds of intense solving. Blake Thompson set the pace in the final round of the classic puzzle, taking the title with a winning average of 7.89 seconds alongside a best single of 7.57 seconds. Thompson held off strong closing performances from Owen Widdis, who captured second place with an 8.51 average, and Ansel de Jong, who secured third with a 9.19 average. The decisive final produced top-tier 3x3 results that reflected the composure of the division's seasoned finalists.

In the 5x5x5 Cube, 16 competitors squared off across two rounds of strategic play. Daniel Pavelich delivered a composed performance to claim the victory with a winning average of 1:08.42 and a standout single of 1:04.03. The podium battle was exceptionally close throughout the final, with Ansel de Jong taking second place with an average of 1:08.82, mere tenths behind Pavelich. Owen Widdis earned another top-three finish by securing the third step with a solid 1:09.31 average.

The 6x6x6 Cube pushed solvers through an intense single-round format featuring 14 competitors. James Hildreth captured the title with a winning average of 2:01.27, backed by the best single of the event at 1:52.17. Daniel Pavelich maintained his strong presence across the heavier puzzles by claiming second place with a 2:02.81 average, while Owen Widdis completed a remarkable triple-podium day by finishing third with a mark of 2:12.94. The event rounded out an impressive sweep of all nine podium positions across the tournament by United States competitors.

Beyond the championship podiums, significant breakthroughs unfolded through personal milestones and ambitious event debuts. Brian Dumouchelle delivered a remarkable 28.7 percent drop from his previous best in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:55.17 result, while also logging his first ever attempt in the 6x6x6 Cube at 5:22.15 on the way to a 13th-place finish. Miles Reavis achieved an outstanding 24.8 percent improvement in the 6x6x6 Cube with a personal best of 3:25.15 and placed fourth in the 3x3x3 Cube. Meanwhile, Tyler Farr took on his first ever attempt in the 6x6x6 Cube at 2:56.80 and trimmed 7.5 percent off his 5x5x5 Cube personal best to finish in 1:16.25.

Other dedicated competitors made valuable strides across their respective schedules at Michigan Mini 24 2024. Caleb Ashley improved his 5x5x5 Cube personal best by 10 percent with a time of 1:44.71 across two events. Owen B. Hakala dropped 10.4 percent off his previous benchmark to record a 13.76 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube, while Edie Kupetz achieved an 11 percent improvement in the same event with a 22.16 single. Ben Scheck completed his first ever attempt at the 5x5x5 Cube in 2:53.07, and Isa Siddiqi tackled two events, logging a first ever attempt in the 5x5x5 Cube at 4:26.93.

The single-day meet demonstrated the depth of talent present across the Midwest speedcubing scene, balancing the precision of experienced champions with steady individual progression across all three disciplines. Solvers departed the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Center with refined setups, fresh experience, and renewed determination. As the 2024 season continues, this focused cubing competition stands as an example of veteran poise setting the standard for the entire field.