SHREWSBURY, Mass. — Cubing is all about calculated speed. Luke Garrett’s average time to solve a 3x3 cube ranks sixth in the world this year at 6.06 seconds. At World Cube Association competitions, you do more than just compete in the eight different events. 

“Three main things," competition organizer and Saint John's eighth-grader Ryan Saito said. "There’s actually scrambling the cube, running the cube to the judges, and judging.”

Organizing a competition involves getting in contact with a WCA delegate. The Saito brothers have been cubing for nearly five years and are familiar with the close-knit cubing community.

“They already knew the two main delegates who are here today so a lot of it happened through them," Saint John's math teacher Peter Smith said.

After months of planning, the Saint John's Spring 2022 cubing event on Sat., April 9 exceeded the Saitos' expectations.

“I’m just really grateful that we were able to host this and it’s been going really well,” Ryan Saito said.

As competitors eagerly watch the live leaderboard update, it's all about getting better and better. Darren set a personal record on the 12-sided megaminx for his average and single attempt times.

“I’m actually kind of mad about the single. Because it was one second away from the state record," Darren Saito said. "I saw the time and I got a little nervous.”

Although world-ranked talent was in the mix, around 30 competitors were brand new to the sport. The Saitos say the community is welcoming and happy to help.

“Literally anyone can do the cube," Darren said. "You just look up a tutorial online. I actually learned from people who are younger than me.”

“It takes a little bit to learn it but then once you get going at it you get better and better," Peter Smith said. "It's a great sort to get into."

“It’s really fun. The cubing community is really good," Ryan said. "We’re all super friendly and nice to help out."

For more information about cubing, head to worldcubeassociation.org.