Poly Cubed at Pomona 2026

Stepping up to the solving station for the first time carries an electric blend of anticipation and focus, and that spirit set the tone for the entire gathering. Dylan Miller delivered the standout performance of the event by capturing the 3x3x3 Cube title with a winning average of 6.53 seconds, bolstered by a best single of 6.00 seconds. Held at Cal Poly Pomona in Pomona, California, USA on March 22, 2026, the single-day competition gathered 108 competitors who contested four events across nine demanding rounds of speedcubing action.

For those experiencing their inaugural official speed cubing appearance, the day served as an unforgettable introduction to tournament life. Making a debut at a sanctioned WCA competition brings standard practice into an arena of running timers and official scorecards. The 2026 meeting welcomed a wave of first-timers who tackled everything from the classic Rubik's Cube to intricate big cubes, each navigating the unique procedural flow and intensity that defines live tournament play across the California cubing circuit.

Beyond the newest arrivals, the weekend became an exceptional platform for breakthrough personal marks. Harvey Miller delivered one of the day's sharpest jumps by taking his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 13.04 seconds, cutting his previous mark by 42.4 percent, while also recording a 1:02.07 in his first official attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube. Sean Ransom also surged forward, knocking 31.7 percent off his previous benchmark with an 11.08 3x3x3 Cube personal best, alongside debut efforts of 1:05.64 in the 4x4x4 Cube and 34.79 seconds in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event.

The progress continued across all four disciplines as competitors expanded their repertoires. Marcos Herrera trimmed 30.6 percent from his previous best to set an 11.41 3x3x3 Cube mark while logging first attempts in both 3x3x3 One-Handed at 45.90 seconds and the 7x7x7 Cube at 4:53.66. James Winslow produced double gains, dropping his 3x3x3 One-Handed time by 29.7 percent to 24.55 seconds and improving his 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 28.2 percent to 57.79 seconds. Desmond Mar took 20.9 percent off his 4x4x4 Cube best with a 43.39, while Arthur Kukuryan improved his 3x3x3 Cube best to 14.12 seconds, a 9.7 percent step forward. Nathaniel Chen stepped onto the tournament floor for the very first time, entering four events and securing a ninth-place finish in the 7x7x7 Cube with a 3:39.90 single, and Layla L. Meyer made her official debut across three events, posting a 16.44 in the 3x3x3 Cube.

The 3x3 results at Poly Cubed at Pomona 2026 proved fiercely competitive across three full rounds of solving. Dylan Miller took top honours on the podium, joined by Sree Dacharla of India in second place with an average of 7.78 seconds and Michael Muething in third place with an 8.09 average. The tournament also featured a sequence of remarkable individual attempts throughout the bracket, highlighted by Dylan Miller posting a 4.66 single and a 6.20 average, while Sree Dacharla registered a 5.98 single during the preliminary stages.

In the one-handed discipline, 61 competitors entered the fray over two rounds of technical single-arm solving. Dylan Miller earned his second victory of the competition by recording an average of 13.48 seconds in the final round, having also posted the category's fastest single solve at 9.65 seconds. Sree Dacharla finished just behind in second place with a 13.69 average, while Jaden Thompson rounded out the podium positions in third with a mark of 14.09 seconds.

The larger puzzles belonged entirely to Kate Grahame, who demonstrated mastery across both multi-layered disciplines on the schedule. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which featured 65 contenders across two rounds, Grahame topped the standings with a 27.73 average and a best single solve of 25.27 seconds. Shane Grogan placed second with an average of 32.12 seconds, edging Dylan Miller, who claimed third place with a 32.16 average.

Grahame doubled her gold medal haul in the 7x7x7 Cube, navigating the 32-player field with a winning average of 1:55.95 and the event's fastest single solve at 1:53.65. Michael Muething secured second place with an average of 2:14.15, while Jack Flynn Stewart finished third at 2:46.52. Across all events, the United States accounted for ten podium positions, alongside two podium finishes for India.

As the final timers clicked off at Cal Poly Pomona, the day closed with a broad showcase of both veteran consistency and new talent. Across 108 competitors, nine tournament rounds, and four demanding events, this cubing competition highlighted how quickly newcomers can make their presence felt alongside experienced champions.