Ohio State Duos III 2024

Jacob Dyland Bennett took first place in the 2x2x2 Cube final with a winning average of 2.06 seconds, spearheading a dominant performance by United States competitors at the Ohio Union. Bennett paired his title-winning average with a best single solve of 1.45 seconds, setting the standard on a packed day of twisting puzzle action. The gathering brought 18 competitors to Columbus, Ohio, USA on March 7, 2024, presenting two challenging disciplines across five total rounds of play. Across both podiums, United States competitors captured five of the six available top-three positions, leaving a single podium place for India in a display of regional depth.

The March 7 program delivered intense action across the board, featuring the fast-paced 2x2x2 Cube and the complex 6x6x6 Cube. Although fans tracking the circuit often follow classic 3x3 results, this specialized cubing competition narrowed the focus down to two drastically different puzzle sizes. In the opening rounds, 18 competitors tested their speed on the pocket cube before 11 entrants moved to the larger big-cube challenge. The dual-event format allowed entrants to balance raw turning speed on the miniature puzzle against stamina on the heavier layers of the larger hardware in a single day of WCA competition.

In the 2x2x2 Cube, Jacob Dyland Bennett led from the front through three competitive rounds, securing the title on the strength of his 2.06 average. Sujan Feist earned the second step on the podium with an average of 2.33 seconds, while Joe Norton rounded out the top three with an average of 2.56 seconds. The final standings completed a full podium sweep for the host nation, with American entrants occupying all three spots in the final bracket. The event highlighted the fine margins separating the top tier, where fractions of a second decided each finishing rank.

Wesley Miller claimed the top prize in the 6x6x6 Cube, recording a winning average of 1:59.64 to break the two-minute barrier over two rounds of play. Miller backed up his average with the competition best single solve of 1:58.60. Darshan Bhavanasi of India disrupted another potential sweep by earning second place with an average of 2:01.13, finishing just behind Miller. Bennett returned to the awards presentation by taking third place with a 2:12.30 average, collecting his second medal of Ohio State Duos III 2024 and sealing five total podium finishes for American solvers.

Away from the top of the standings, several entrants achieved major breakthroughs that highlighted the broader speedcubing action. Jacob H. Driskill delivered a standout performance in the 2x2x2 Cube, logging a personal best of 3.46 seconds that improved upon his previous best of 5.96 seconds by 41.9 percent. Nolan Wood trimmed his 6x6x6 Cube personal best down to 2:24.47 from 2:54.18, marking a 17.1 percent drop in solve time on his way to fourth place in the 2x2x2 Cube. Carson Miller also set a fresh personal standard in the 6x6x6 Cube at 2:26.02, shaving 3.4 percent off his earlier mark and finishing sixth. Keenan Darkins took on both events, posting a 6x6x6 Cube personal best of 2:57.09 and earning sixth in the 2x2x2 Cube.

First-time attempts and debut appearances also added to the narrative at Ohio State Duos III 2024. Emery McFeeter entered two events and registered a first ever official 6x6x6 Cube attempt of 4:36.27. John Ulm logged a first ever attempt in the 2x2x2 Cube at 22.22 seconds, while Jack Bohning took on both disciplines and earned a fifth-place finish in the 6x6x6 Cube. Braden Richards rounded out an active day across two events by taking fourth place in the 6x6x6 Cube. Further down the roster, debutants Ryan Burnham and Miranda Bugos completed their first attempts at 11.33 and 30.24 seconds respectively, alongside Ethan Kopechek who opened with a 4.95 solve.

The efficiency of the two-event schedule allowed every competitor to make multiple trips to the solving tables under tournament conditions. While standard Rubik's Cube categories draw massive crowds, the focused duo schedule kept the pace quick from the first solve to the final awards presentation. The organizers in Columbus kept the flow running smoothly through five rounds, giving both seasoned entrants and newcomers ample time to test their execution against official timers. Every solve contributed to official personal records and continental standings on the international circuit.

As the event concluded, Ohio State Duos III 2024 reinforced the competitive strength of American speed cubing while providing valuable stage experience for newcomers and veterans alike. Bennett left the venue with two top-three awards, while Miller secured a memorable sub-two-minute victory on the big cube. With five podium places staying with host-nation entrants and fresh personal marks established across all five rounds, the gathering provided a clear benchmark for the solving community as the 2024 calendar moves forward toward the next wave of tournaments.