Oklahoma Championship 2024

The Life Ready Center in Lawton, Oklahoma, USA buzzed with focused energy from June 29 to June 30 as timers clicked and puzzle faces snapped into place. Behind the smooth progression of each schedule block stood a dedicated team of organizers, World Cube Association delegates, and volunteer runners and judges. Their tireless work across two full days ensured that 60 competitors moved seamlessly across 13 events and 31 total rounds, providing the backbone for an unforgettable regional showcase.

Running a multi-event cubing competition requires relentless coordination, from shuffling scramble tables to keeping spectator areas flowing. The staff kept stations fully active throughout the weekend, creating a supportive stage for both newcomers and seasoned veterans. That steady organization laid the groundwork for intense head-to-head racing, giving athletes the exact environment needed to push their limits on the official speedcubing stage during the 2024 season.

When the final round of the classic 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube got underway, the title race came down to a battle of split seconds. Ryan Pilat claimed victory in the marquee event, producing a winning average of 6.74 seconds across five solves alongside a single of 5.94. Ray Bai pushed the pace all the way to the end, securing second place with a 6.78 average, while Casey Ngo locked down third place at 7.19 in an electric showcase of premier 3x3 results.

Pilat assembled a massive trophy haul throughout the weekend, topping the podium across several diverse formats. He took first place in the 2x2x2 Cube with a 1.91 average, won the Pyraminx with a 2.80 average, and prevailed in the 7x7x7 Cube with a 2:35.12 mark. Pilat also conquered the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event, where solving requires complete memorisation and execution without sight, securing the top spot with a single of 28.14 seconds.

Ray Bai matched that championship caliber by sweeping the remaining large twisty puzzles and specialty events. Bai collected first-place finishes in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 26.84 average, the 5x5x5 Cube in 47.95, and the 6x6x6 Cube in 1:35.23, while also earning the Megaminx title with a 40.46 average. In other action, Titus Sutterfield captured the Skewb title with a 3.10 average, Tyler Gee claimed the 3x3x3 One-Handed crown with an 11.54 average, Dylan Baumbach topped Square-1 at 5.86, and Will McCoy won Clock with a 4.73 mark.

Away from the top steps of the podium, personal milestones defined the heart of the tournament. Nash Bird delivered a major breakthrough in the 4x4x4 Cube, posting a personal best of 1:03.63 that improved on a previous mark of 2:09.86 by 51 percent, while also taking on a first official 6x6x6 Cube attempt in 4:03.57. Oliver Cavazos dropped his 2x2x2 Cube best to 4.78 for a 41.9 percent improvement and took his first attempt at Skewb with a 9.30. Anthony Mondragon notched a 2x2x2 Cube best of 5.09, which was 38.8 percent faster than before, alongside a first try at Pyraminx in 16.50. Leonardo LLagostera achieved a Clock personal best of 8.17, cutting 32.9 percent off his previous record, and secured a 12th-place finish in Skewb.

Fresh challenges and event debuts highlighted the depth of the field as athletes broadened their repertoires across the schedule. Daniel Polichetti tackled three event debuts during the weekend, logging a first 3x3x3 One-Handed attempt of 30.42, a first 4x4x4 Cube single of 59.18, and a first Megaminx mark of 2:02.52. Jeffrey Woolston undertook a demanding program across 11 different events, posting a first 7x7x7 Cube single of 7:29.52 and earning 9th place in Pyraminx. Levi Barresi attended his first official speed cubing tournament, completing seven events including a 25.80 in the 3x3x3 Cube, while Roman Lane Regier also completed his first WCA competition by recording a 14.48 single on the 3x3x3 Cube.

The successful execution of Oklahoma Championship 2024 underlined the importance of the community leaders and volunteers who give their time to make competitive speedcubing happen. From the opening scrambles on Saturday morning to the closing awards on Sunday afternoon, their dedication ensured a fair, efficient, and memorable weekend for all 60 participants.

As the equipment was packed away at the Life Ready Center, the competitors departed with fresh records, personal milestones, and hard-earned podium finishes. The smooth running of Oklahoma Championship 2024 set a proud benchmark for future events in Lawton and across the regional circuit.