Somerset September 2024

Sujan Feist delivered the standout performance of the day at the Rocky Hollow Recreation Center, capturing the 2x2x2 Cube title with a blistering winning average of 0.94 seconds alongside a best single of 0.58 seconds. The lightning-fast display set an energetic tone for the entire gathering, proving how much precision fits into the briefest solves on the schedule. From that opening spark, the one-day competition unfolded as a lively showcase of technical mastery, friendly rivalry, and camaraderie across a wide variety of puzzle disciplines in the Bluegrass State.

Held on September 7, 2024, Somerset September 2024 gathered an intimate field of 14 competitors in Somerset, Kentucky, USA. With 6 distinct events and 12 total rounds, the Rocky Hollow Recreation Center provided an ideal backdrop for participants who spent their time sharing advice, testing hardware, and analyzing solves between rounds. The close-knit nature of the speedcubing competition meant competitors were constantly engaged, stepping in to judge, scramble, and support one another at every stage while tracking every turn of the Rubik's Cube variants.

Luke Garrett put together an extraordinary individual performance throughout the day, claiming first-place finishes in five separate disciplines. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Garrett secured victory with a 9.15 average and a 7.28 single, finishing ahead of Evan Brown, who posted a 15.94 average, and Roland Ababat, who took third with a 19.51 average. While fans often look for traditional 3x3 results, the single-handed variation demands exceptional dexterity and fingertrick control, both of which Garrett displayed across two rounds of intense solving.

Garrett continued his sweep across both larger twisty puzzles and specialized side events. On the 4x4x4 Cube, he took top honors with an average of 26.57 seconds, once again followed by Brown with 36.67 and Ababat with 39.18. Transitioning to the twelve-sided Megaminx, Garrett posted a winning average of 38.41, with Garrett Hadaway taking second in 55.64 and Ireland's Declan Mangan-Lamb placing third in 1:00.39. In Square-1, Garrett claimed gold with an 11.82 average, while Justin Poole earned second in 20.11 and Brown secured third in 21.18.

The mechanical challenges of Clock also saw Garrett take the top step with an average of 5.25 seconds and a single of 3.58. Brown placed second with an average of 6.23, while Ababat rounded out the podium in third with a 6.33. Feist's 2x2x2 Cube victory had denied Garrett a complete clean sweep of all six disciplines, as Garrett claimed the silver spot on that podium with a 1.25 average, ahead of Mangan-Lamb who took bronze with 2.71. Throughout the day, the United States accounted for 16 podium places, with Ireland claiming 2.

Beyond the championship trophies, Somerset September 2024 served as a launchpad for major personal breakthroughs across the scoreboards. Jeremiah Miracle entered all 6 events, securing a best finish of 6th in Clock while dropping their Megaminx personal best to 1:21.39 from 2:16.40, a massive 40.3 percent improvement. Miracle also lowered their Clock personal best by 14.1 percent down to 7.04 seconds and logged their first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with a time of 22.22. Benjamin Craft also tackled 6 events, earning a 9th-place finish in 2x2x2 Cube while cutting their Clock mark by 14 percent to 14.62, their 4x4x4 Cube time by 13.3 percent to 1:19.27, and their 3x3x3 One-Handed mark by 12.4 percent to 41.98.

Tate Sullivan took on 5 events and achieved a 4th-place finish in 2x2x2 Cube, alongside a 9.8 percent improvement in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a personal best of 15.36 seconds. Dominic Brandi tackled 6 events, placing 4th in Square-1 and improving their Clock personal best by 4 percent down to 6.48 seconds. Meanwhile, three competitors made their official debut at this WCA competition. Jasper Pace entered 5 events, recording a first ever attempt of 4.02 in 2x2x2 Cube, 2:10.46 in 4x4x4 Cube, and 2:45.10 in Megaminx. Jacob Beck entered 2x2x2 Cube for their first ever attempt of 6.91 seconds, and Lois Mangan-Lamb tackled Clock with an opening official mark of 58.33.

The shared milestones throughout the day highlighted the welcoming culture of speed cubing, where personal progression and community spirit remain central to the experience. Whether competitors were achieving their very first official solve or fine-tuning techniques at the top of the standings, the atmosphere remained collaborative from morning registration to the final podium presentations. With 2024 continuing to provide memorable regional events, the participants departed Somerset with new personal bests, shared experiences, and shared motivation for the next season of competition.