Southern Utah Summer 2024

Inside the Sharwan Smith Student Center, the rhythmic click and slide of turning plastic set the tone for a packed day of twisting puzzles. Staging tables and timing mats were prepared meticulously by the organizers, delegates, and community volunteers whose behind-the-scenes work kept the schedule running without a hitch. Cedar City, Utah, USA welcomed 46 competitors on May 4, 2024, creating an environment where newcomers and seasoned solvers alike could test their dexterity across 6 events and 14 total rounds.

The smooth progression of the timetable was a testament to the community members handling judge slips, running scrambles, and coordinating groups throughout the venue. Southern Utah Summer 2024 provided a stage for puzzles of all varieties, ranging from the geometric twists of the Pyraminx to the larger layers of the 5x5x5 Cube. With everyone pitching in at the staging stations, the cubing competition moved through each round seamlessly, allowing athletes to concentrate entirely on their solves.

When the attention shifted to the premier Rubik's Cube category, Canyon Pettitt delivered an exceptional display in the final round. Over three intense stages of 3x3x3 Cube solving against a field of 45 competitors, Pettitt captured first place with a winning average of 8.97 seconds, backed by a best single of 7.81 seconds. Mateo Tiul took second place with an average of 9.59 seconds, while Anthony J. Telford finished third on a 10.34 average, rounding out the official 3x3 results.

Pettitt was back on top of the podium in Square-1, securing victory with a winning average of 12.00 seconds and a single of 11.27 seconds. Wilson Hettinger followed closely in second with an average of 13.68 seconds, edging out Cade Beck who posted the same 13.68 average to take third place. Pettitt also collected a third-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed with an average of 16.38 seconds, bringing his individual podium tally to three across the single-day meet.

Mateo Tiul showcased impressive versatility in the multi-layered and specialized disciplines. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, Tiul topped the 33-person roster across two rounds, locking in first place with a 13.70 average and a single of 10.99 seconds, narrowly ahead of Wilson Hettinger's 13.86 average. Tiul carried that momentum into the 5x5x5 Cube, where he earned another gold with a 1:05.71 average and a 1:02.11 single, besting Pettitt's 1:10.78 and Beck's 1:17.50 in the final standings.

The rapid rotations of the smaller puzzles produced sharp finishes and tight margins. In 2x2x2 Cube, Peter Augustine claimed victory across three rounds of competition, setting the winning standard with an average of 1.72 seconds alongside a single of 1.27 seconds. Jaden Thompson secured second place on a 2.40 average, before claiming his own triumph in Pyraminx. Thompson took the Pyraminx title with a 3.69 average and a 2.94 single, just ahead of Pettitt's 3.80 average and Cy Hamilton's 4.47 mark.

Beyond the championship trophies, the weekend saw remarkable individual strides from dedicated participants across the scoreboard. Paxton Shepherd delivered massive improvements across three events, cutting his Pyraminx personal best to 6.31 seconds, which was 54.8 percent faster than before, while lowering his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 52.4 percent to 3.91 seconds. Luke Bailey entered six events, finishing fifth in 2x2x2 Cube while trimming his Pyraminx personal best to 2.81 seconds, an improvement of 50.4 percent, and his Square-1 mark to 12.87 seconds, 30.8 percent faster than his prior standard. Trevin Durfee took on six disciplines, logging his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 2:19.92 alongside personal bests of 25.04 seconds in 3x3x3 One-Handed and 10.69 seconds on the 3x3x3 Cube.

New milestones continued throughout the day as other participants expanded their repertoires. Jason James Brunson entered six events and finished sixth in 3x3x3 One-Handed while setting a Square-1 personal best of 17.13 seconds, 33.3 percent faster than his previous best. Zachary Fercik tackled six events, registering a first ever attempt in Pyraminx at 11.38 seconds and another in 3x3x3 One-Handed at 31.41 seconds. Violet North logged her first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 6.83 seconds and dropped her 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 17 percent to 13.49 seconds. Madilyn Arrington completed her first WCA competition with initial attempts in three events, including a 30.69 on the 3x3x3 Cube, while Andrew Buddy Gray also marked his debut speed cubing appearance with a 20.36 second attempt on the classic puzzle.

With 18 total podium places collected by competitors representing the host nation, Southern Utah Summer 2024 wrapped up as a triumph of coordination and spirited speedcubing. The collective dedication of the event staff created a welcoming arena that supported both podium contenders and solvers striving for personal milestones, capping a vibrant 2024 gathering in the heart of Cedar City.