UMBC Fall 2024

142 competitors converged on the University Center to test their skills at UMBC Fall 2024 on September 21, 2024. Speedcubing enthusiasts arrived in Catonsville, Maryland, USA from across the region and beyond, navigating travel logistics to share solving stations across ten total rounds of competition. The single-day WCA competition brought together an active community of puzzle solvers ready to showcase their preparation on the official stage.

The 3x3x3 Cube served as the centerpiece of the gathering, drawing 139 competitors through three rounds of action. Ari Randers-Pehrson captured the top position in the final round of the classic Rubik's Cube with a winning average of 7.70 seconds. The 3x3 results remained tight throughout the podium hunt, as Sanzhar Beisembayev secured second place with an average of 7.76 seconds and Samuel Garrett took third place with an 8.01 second average. Ari Randers-Pehrson also posted the best single of the final stage at 7.24 seconds.

Ari Randers-Pehrson added a second title to his weekend tally by winning the 4x4x4 Cube. Across two rounds featuring 97 competitors, Ari Randers-Pehrson delivered a winning average of 23.72 seconds along with the best single of the event at 21.51 seconds. Stone Payne claimed second place on the podium with a 31.12 second average, while Sanzhar Beisembayev finished in third place recording an average of 34.21 seconds.

Pyraminx brought 96 entrants to the tables across two fast-paced rounds of turning. Daniel Goodman earned first place with a winning average of 3.08 seconds, backed by a rapid 2.05 second single. Cyrus Gearhart followed in second place with an average of 3.51 seconds, while Leland Pak rounded out the top three with an average of 4.20 seconds to claim third place.

In Skewb, 88 competitors took part over two rounds of play at UMBC Fall 2024. Brad Hoffman led the field to capture the victory, recording a winning average of 3.61 seconds and a best single of 1.70 seconds. Samuel McRea took second place with an average of 4.55 seconds, and Leland Pak secured another podium placing by taking third place with an average of 4.63 seconds.

The technical demands of 3x3x3 One-Handed tested 85 participants in a single direct round. Sam Deacon emerged victorious with a winning average of 14.62 seconds alongside the event best single of 10.87 seconds. Liam Chen took second place with an average of 15.96 seconds, while Samuel Garrett claimed third place with an average of 16.23 seconds.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved meaningful milestones across their events. Roi Christian Kim logged a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with 1:37.76 and a first Pyraminx attempt of 8.84, while cutting their Skewb personal best down to 9.15 seconds, a 61.8 percent improvement. Josiah Hinson achieved a 13th place finish in Pyraminx with a first attempt of 4.27 seconds, alongside a 44 percent drop in their Skewb personal best to 2.69 seconds and an 8 percent improvement in 3x3x3 One-Handed to 20.45 seconds. Michael Cantu posted a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 2:38.97 and dropped their Skewb mark by 47.9 percent to 9.39 seconds. Zakayo Williams logged a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 1:18.39, while improving their Pyraminx best by 38 percent to 7.79 seconds and their Skewb best by 36.8 percent to 6.59 seconds.

That same progress showed across multiple puzzle disciplines throughout the venue. Tucker Deacon completed five events, logging a first Skewb attempt of 21.45 seconds, a first Pyraminx attempt of 11.94 seconds, and a 13.4 percent improvement in 3x3x3 One-Handed to 1:12.37. Judah Hinson recorded a first Pyraminx attempt of 13.44 seconds and a first 3x3x3 One-Handed attempt of 1:01.46, alongside a 10.54 second Skewb personal best. Lorenzo Lintag made a first 3x3x3 One-Handed attempt of 41.63 seconds while cutting their 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 16.6 percent to 18.18 seconds. Raj Bhagat logged a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 1:26.38 and achieved personal best improvements of 30.8 percent in Pyraminx with 8.35 seconds and 24 percent in 3x3x3 One-Handed with 26.51 seconds.

The day concluded with all fifteen podium spots awarded to competitors representing the USA. As speed cubing schedules continue across 2024, the gathering at UMBC Fall 2024 delivered a complete showcase of dedication and travel commitment across five distinct puzzle formats.