Tacoma Summer 2024

William Greninger delivered the standout performance of the weekend in Tacoma, Washington, USA, capturing the premier 3x3x3 Cube title with a decisive 7.06 winning average in the final round. Across three rounds featuring 138 contenders, Greninger demonstrated remarkable poise at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on August 3, 2024. His final set proved unbeatable, anchored by a best single of 6.52 on the day to lead a fiercely contested final round that set the standard for the entire gathering.

The one-day WCA competition brought together a total of 142 competitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere where first-time entrants and experienced solvers stood side by side on the competition stage. For newcomers stepping into the venue for their inaugural speedcubing experience, the day offered an eye-opening look at the pace and intensity of official solving. Stepping up to the judge table, managing the inspection timer, and tackling unfamiliar puzzles under official conditions defined a memorable day of speed cubing in the Pacific Northwest.

Across four official events and ten total rounds, the schedule pushed contenders through classic Rubik's Cube trials, side events, and high-tempo specialty puzzles. The classic 3x3 results formed the centerpiece of the program, but the depth of talent was equally apparent across 3x3x3 One-Handed, Clock, and Skewb. USA competitors achieved a clean sweep across the podiums, claiming all twelve available top-three placements by the end of the day.

In the 3x3x3 Cube final, Caiden Lee finished in second place with a 7.90 average, just edging third-place Michael Lee who matched the 7.90 average in a remarkably close podium battle. Michael Lee had previously registered a 6.52 single and a 7.08 average in the event. Ethan Rusnak of Canada also produced a notable performance during the 3x3x3 Cube rounds with a 5.91 single and a 7.57 average, while Caiden Lee turned in a 6.54 single and 8.09 average.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, the deeper story of this cubing competition emerged in the personal breakthroughs and ambitious event debuts across the floor. Reece Romans took on four events and delivered a massive leap in Skewb, setting a personal best of 2.66 that was 74 percent faster than his previous mark of 10.22, alongside a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 13.26. James Wang slashed his Skewb mark to 9.43, a 45.8 percent improvement, while making his first ever attempt at Clock with an 18.31 single. Sophie Wang achieved a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 10.50, improving by 37.5 percent, and completed her first ever attempt at Clock in 13.93.

The progress continued across all four disciplines as solvers tested their limits. Jairo Santiago Callejas logged a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 16.92, improving by 32.5 percent, while posting a 15.22 in his first ever attempt at Clock. Solomon Methvin recorded an 8.93 Skewb personal best, 32.3 percent faster than before, and made his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with a 40.45 single. Alex Foster improved his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark by 31 percent to 30.07 while logging first attempts in Skewb at 6.68 and Clock at 18.26. Mathew Allen McCulloch lowered his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 24 percent to 27.48 and logged his first Clock attempt at 31.48, while Charlie Rogers achieved a 20 percent drop to 16.01 in Clock while making debut attempts in Skewb and One-Handed.

The one-handed event produced an impressive title run for Michael Lee, who took the 3x3x3 One-Handed victory with an average of 13.40 and a best single of 11.63 across two rounds. Mihir A. Rai secured second place with a 13.86 average, while Lucas Libed rounded out the top three with a 14.81 mark. The event drew 70 competitors, highlighting the growing technical depth of one-handed solving in the regional circuit.

Greyson James commanded the Clock event across three competitive rounds among 66 entrants, securing first place with a winning average of 4.07 and a tournament-best single of 3.25. Mihir A. Rai earned another silver placement with a 4.71 average, followed by Lexi Tyrrell in third at 4.92. In Skewb, Eli Kirk led the field of 89 competitors, taking first place with a 3.61 average and a 2.92 single, ahead of Vikram Haldar in second with 5.01 and Greyson James in third with 5.09.

The curtain came down on Tacoma Summer 2024 having highlighted both elite speedcubing talent and the inspiring steps taken by debutants and rising solvers alike. From William Greninger claiming the main event to dozens of competitors conquering new disciplines for the first time, the tournament delivered a complete showcase of the sport in the Pacific Northwest as competitors look forward to the next season of competition.