Summer Solving Colorado 2023

Seventy-two competitors arrived at Grandview High School to test their skills in Aurora, Colorado, USA on June 24, 2023. Staged across 14 rounds and six distinct disciplines, Summer Solving Colorado 2023 demanded absolute consistency from anyone hoping to advance. Reaching a final round required navigating large brackets and enduring pressure, turning each qualification cut into a fierce battle for survival on the stage.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest stood as the ultimate test of endurance, attracting 71 solvers across three grueling stages of competition. In an event where fractions of a second decide everything, the battle for the top spot delivered unmatched drama. Jacob Nokes claimed the victory with a 7.59 winning average, including a sharp single solve of 6.44. Jack Bellomy took second place right behind him with a 7.60 average, while Brayden Wroten completed the podium with a 7.97 mark in the final 3x3 results.

The 4x4x4 Cube contest brought a massive puzzle to the tables, challenging 46 entrants across two rounds of play. Jacob Nokes again proved his mastery by securing the win with a 29.75 average, anchored by a best single of 27.58. Jack Bellomy pushed the pace to earn second place with a 30.59 average, while Jack Roe locked down the third spot on the podium at 35.33.

Fast-paced short solves brought equal excitement in the 2x2x2 Cube event, which saw 69 competitors enter the opening round. Brayden Wroten dominated the final with a blistering 1.97 average and a 1.77 single solve to take first place. Jack Bellomy followed in the runner-up position with a 2.93 average, while Oliver Michael Sitja Sichel rounded out the top three by averaging 3.21 in the deciding round.

Away from the championship podiums, Summer Solving Colorado 2023 delivered remarkable milestones throughout the field. Joshua Aaron Maupin put together a standout performance across five events, securing a Pyraminx personal best of 3.98 that was 60.2 percent faster than his previous mark, a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 6.35, and his first ever attempt at Clock with a 21.63 single. Ava Langston also posted dramatic improvements, dropping her Pyraminx personal best to 11.88, which improved on her old mark by 53.3 percent, alongside a 55.32 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube. Owen Felkey took on four events, setting a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 5.75 that was 38.5 percent faster, while recording his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube at 2:22.85. Erick Linares tackled five events, achieving a Pyraminx personal best of 4.98, an improvement of 28.6 percent, alongside his first ever attempt at Square-1 at 52.07.

The depth of progress across the venue showed in every round as competitors pushed into new territory. Tyler Sellin competed across five events, logging a 12th-place best finish in the 3x3x3 Cube, an initial Square-1 attempt of 36.11, and a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 2.75 that was 22.1 percent faster than before. Max Ashley entered six events, logging his first ever attempt at Square-1 at 50.92, an initial Clock try of 14.39, and a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 14.07 that shaved 18.2 percent off his prior benchmark. Aiden Allen Adler also took on six events, recording first ever attempts in 4x4x4 Cube at 2:13.33, 2x2x2 Cube at 7.94, and Clock at 19.18. Meanwhile, Zach Hyman made his official debut at this WCA competition, competing in five events and recording opening marks of 6.62 on Pyraminx, 13.87 on Clock, and 21.34 on the classic 3x3x3 Cube.

The Pyraminx event featured 62 solvers navigating three rounds of rapid mechanical action. Jack Bellomy claimed the top step of the podium with a winning average of 2.56 and a rapid 1.65 single. Brayden Wroten stayed right on his heels to take second place with a 2.64 average, while William Mitchell captured third place with an average of 3.83.

Specialist puzzles rounded out the intense schedule of speedcubing at Grandview High School. Sula Mareska triumphed over 39 competitors in Clock with a 6.63 average and a 4.36 single, finishing ahead of Alayna Garrett at 6.93 and Brayden Wroten at 6.96. In Square-1, Jack Bellomy captured another victory with a 9.51 average, holding off Jacob Nokes at 10.06 and Brayden Wroten at 10.90 in a strong 30-player field.

The full day of speed cubing at Summer Solving Colorado 2023 demonstrated the sheer talent present across the Rocky Mountain region. Competitors working through the intricate mechanics of the Rubik's Cube and varied side events had to earn every advancement through large qualification brackets. With 18 podium spots earned by United States competitors, this cubing competition highlighted the incredible depth present throughout the sport.