Milestones from the 2024 WGI Color Guard World Championships
After another incredible WGI World Championships, it's time to put a bow on the 2024 winter season. Congratulations to the thousands of winter guards who performed across the country this season! Of those many guards, 312 traveled to Dayton and competed in World Championships and only 95 achieved the honor of being named a finalist.
As we reminisce about the season, let's take a look at some incredible accomplishments achieved this year. Below are some milestones and facts about by the champions, medalists, and finalists at the 2024 WGI Color Guard World Championships.
Class Champions & Medalists
Independent World:
1st place: Fusion (NJ) - first championship and medal in any class
2nd place: Etude (SC) - third medal in any class (IO silver medalists in 2015, IA champions in 2006)
3rd place: Blessed Sacrament (MA) - tenth medal in Independent World (IW champions in 1990, silver medalists in 1989, 1996, 2023, bronze medalists in 1988, 2005, 2007, 2017, 2018)
Scholastic World:
1st place: Avon HS (IN) - sixth championship and 15th medal in any class (SW champions in 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022, SO champions in 2001)
2nd place: Arcadia HS (CA) - fifth medal in any class (SW bronze medalists in 2013, 2007, 2006, SO bronze medalists in 2000)
3rd place: The Woodlands HS (TX) - third medal in any class (SW bronze medalists in 2022 and SO champions in 2004)
Independent Open:
1st place: Georgia (GA) - first championship and medal in any class, first appearance in finals since 2016 (made IA finals in 2015 and 2016 under the original name of University of Georgia Winter Guard)
2nd place: Alta Marea (AL) - first medal in any class
3rd place: Ménage (TX) - first medal in any class (Ménage is the IO guard affiliated with Mirage and 2024 was their first ever season in competition)
Scholastic Open:
1st place: Ayala HS (CA) - first championship in any class, second medal (SA bronze medalists in 1997), first appearance in finals since 2018 in SW
2nd place: Centerville HS (OH) - third medal in SO (champions in 1993 and 2003)
3rd place: American Fork HS (UT) - first medal in any class
Independent A:
1st place: Georgia State University (GA) - second championship and medal in IA (IA champions in 2014)
2nd place: Noir Independent (GA) - first medal in any class
3rd place: Les Eclipses (Quebec) - second medal in any class (IO silver medalists in 1996)
Scholastic A:
1st place: Arlington HS (NY) - first championship and medal in any class, first appearance in finals since 2016
2nd place: Lockport Township HS (IL) - first medal in any class
3rd place: Holly Springs HS (NC) - first medal in any class
First time finalists in any class:
IO - Ménage (TX)
IO - Revival Winter Guard (IN)
SO - Pendleton Heights HS (IN)
IA - Crossroads (IA)
IA - Huron Valley (MI)
IA - Zephyrus Independent Winter Guard (OK)
IA - Caledonia Independent (MI)
IA - Maharlika (CA)
IA - Opus Independent (NC)
IA - Eagle Mountain Independent (TX)
SA - Adlai E. Stevenson HS (IL)
SA - Grand Oaks HS (TX)
SA - Lafayette HS (KY)
SA - Azle HS (TX)
SA - Creekview HS (GA)
SA - Yukon HS (OK)
SA - Great Oak HS Varsity (CA)
SA - Corinth Holders HS (NC)
First time finalists in respective classes:
IW - Vox Artium (CA)
IW - Icon (CA)
IO - Georgia (GA)
IO - Collage (OH)
IO - Tampa Independent Open (FL)
SO - Mason HS (OH)
SO - Dobyns-Bennett HS (TN)
SO - Noblesville HS (IN)
Miscellaneous facts:
Fusion’s championship is the first by a guard from New Jersey in any class since 2017 (AMP in Independent Open). They are also the first guard from New Jersey to win a championship in either World class.
Fusion is the first new champion in Independent World since Paramount won their first title in 2018. Before Paramount, the last first time champion was Onyx in 2010.
Avon’s sixth championship moves them into a tie for second with Carmel for most all time by a high school guard. James Logan leads with 11 championships.
Avon’s championship score of 99.35 is a new record high score in Scholastic World, breaking their own previous record of 98.95 set in 2019.
Avon’s championship continues a streak of six straight Scholastic World Championships won by either Avon or Carmel.
Guards from Georgia have won nine championships previously, however Georgia Winter Guard’s championship is the first ever in Independent Open by a guard from the state.
Alta Marea’s silver medal is the highest finish ever by a guard from Alabama in any class and is the first medal won by a guard from the state since JSU Center Stage placed third in Independent Open in 2006.
Ayala's championship is the first by a high school guard from California since 2017 (Stockdale HS in Scholastic Open).
American Fork’s silver medal is the first ever medal won by a guard from Utah in any class.
With their Independent A championship, Georgia State became the first guard ever to win multiple championships in either Independent A or Scholastic A.
Arlington’s championship is the first by a guard from New York since 2016 (Shenendehowa HS in Scholastic Open). Their finals score of 97.995 is the fifth highest score of all time in Scholastic A.
Lockport Township’s bronze medal is the first medal won by a guard from Illinois since 2017 (Allegiance in Independent A).
Crossroads became the first finalist in any class by a guard from Iowa since 1978.
Blessed Sacrament extended their incredible streak of 43 consecutive finals appearances that began in 1980. Other guards that continued consecutive appearance streaks in 2024 are Warren Central HS (19 straight beginning in 2004), Onyx (18 straight beginning in 2005), and Carmel HS (16 straight beginning in 2007).
Fusion Winter Guardperforming at the 2024 WGI World Championships. Photos in this article by Marissa Gagliano c/o Fusion Winter Guard