Sowega Solving 2023

A blistering 6.71 winning average by Nicolás Sánchez in the 3x3x3 Cube set the gold standard on November 25, 2023, turning heads across southwest Georgia. The decisive performance sealed the top step of the podium in the premier event, holding off Tommy Cherry who took second place with a 7.47 average and Katie Hull who finished third at 8.92. Sánchez also delivered the round single benchmark with a 5.81 solve, setting the tone for a packed day of top-tier speedcubing action.

Held at The Event Center at Northwest Library in Albany, Georgia, USA, Sowega Solving 2023 brought together 52 competitors across 6 events and 12 rounds of intense play. With all 18 podium positions claimed by USA competitors, the atmosphere throughout the venue remained buzzing from the opening heats to the late-afternoon finals. Solvers from around the region converged on the tables, testing their skills on classic puzzles as well as specialized challenges.

While Sánchez took the flagship 3x3 results crown, Tommy Cherry authored an extraordinary multi-event sweep across four distinct disciplines. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Cherry secured first place among 40 contenders with a 12.92 average, overcoming Sean Hartman who placed second with a 14.08 and Keon Wilson in third at 14.73. Cherry also claimed the best single solve of the event at 10.61, showcasing remarkable dexterity under strict one-handed solve regulations.

Cherry continued his commanding run on the 5x5x5 Cube, winning with a 54.59 average and a single of 51.74 to head a field of 31 entrants. Hartman followed closely in second with 58.99, while Hull earned third with 1:01.42. Moving to Clock, Cherry triumphed once more with a 4.35 average and a 3.29 single, leading Hull who took second at 7.02 and Kellan Butler who finished third at 7.25. Cherry capped his haul in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, where memorisation and execution combined for a winning single time of 14.63.

The 7x7x7 Cube brought big-cube power to the tables, where Sean Hartman stood atop the podium with a 2:32.35 average and an event-leading single of 2:23.94. Hull added another medal to her weekend tally with a second-place average of 2:46.47, while Tyler Hicks secured third place with a 2:49.48 average among 17 competitors. Hartman added that title to his podium finishes in blindfolded, one-handed, and 5x5x5 disciplines, making him one of the most prolific podium finishers of the day.

Beyond the championship podiums, Sowega Solving 2023 featured a wave of standout breakthroughs and personal milestones from dedicated competitors across the floor. Noah Bass registered a massive 28.5 percent drop on his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark, dropping his personal best to 15.84, while also lowering his standard Rubik's Cube single to 8.19. Jacob Parker shaved 27.7 percent off his one-handed benchmark with a time of 37.23, and Alexander Nguyen achieved a 24.2 percent improvement on his 3x3x3 Cube solve, clocking a 26.31 personal best.

Fresh challenges and massive leaps highlighted the depth of the field throughout the session. Judah von Meding notched a 22.2 percent improvement on the 5x5x5 Cube with a 2:29.24 personal record, while Beibei Lin dropped their Clock best by 22.4 percent to 13.46. Julius Achilles Wilson stepped up for a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Blindfolded, recording a 3:55.14, while Luke Sloan sliced 17 percent off his 5x5x5 Cube time with a 1:17.40. Taking on five separate events, Joseph Boyer entered his very first official tournament, recording a 9.47 solve on 3x3x3 Cube and a 21.32 mark in one-handed competition.

For the athletes in attendance, this cubing competition offered a complete showcase of speed cubing excellence across small puzzles, large layers, and blindfolded rounds. The organization and efficient schedule of this WCA competition allowed newcomers and seasoned veterans alike to challenge the clock and each other in equal measure. Every bracket delivered tight margins and memorable performances across all 12 rounds of play.

As the final timers were packed away, Sowega Solving 2023 concluded as a memorable gathering for the southern solving community. With strong participation, major personal milestones, and a dominant series of performances from Sánchez and Cherry, Albany provided the ideal backdrop for a spirited day of competition that sets the stage for the next season of regional events.