Milestones from the 2025 WGI Color Guard Championships
We kick off our 2025 Milestones series by highlighting and celebrating some incredible accomplishments at Color Guard World Championships
What an incredible 2025 WGI season we just witnessed! It was a record setting year with 1,079 guards competing throughout the season to combine for 3,362 scores at 38 events throughout the season. World Championships hosted 334 guards, the biggest year for WGI since 2019.
After the 2024 season, I posted a three-part Milestones series that wrapped up and looked back at some incredible accomplishments at World Championships. The series was well received last time so I’m excited to bring it back for this year. That said, let’s take a look at some milestones and facts about by the champions, medalists, and first time finalists at the 2025 WGI Color Guard World Championships.
Class Champions & Medalists
Independent World:
1st place: Pride of Cincinnati (OH) - ninth championship and 23rd medal in Independent World (IW champions in 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2007, 2005, 2001; 14 additional medals in IW)
2nd place: Paramount (GA) - fourth medal in Independent World (IW champions in 2023 and 2018; IW silver medalists in 2019)
3rd place: Fantasia (CA) - 12th medal in all classes (IW champions in 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000; IO champions in 1995; four additional medals in IW and 1 medal in IA)
Scholastic World:
1st place: The Woodlands HS (TX) - second championship (first in Scholastic World) and fourth medal in all classes (SW bronze medalists in 2024 and 2022; SO champions in 2004)
2nd place: Carmel HS (IN) - 14th medal in all classes (SW champions in 2023, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011; SO champions in 2007; 8 additional medals in SW)
3rd place: Arcadia HS (CA) - sixth medal in all class (SW silver medalists in 2024, SW bronze medalists in 2013, 2007, 2006, SO bronze medalists in 2000)
Independent Open:
1st place: 3rd Legend (Canada) - first championship and medal in any class
2nd place: Phoenix Independent (OH) - second medal in any class (IA silver medalists in 2012)
3rd place: La Voute Performance Ensemble (MO) - first medal in any class
Scholastic Open:
1st place: Little Elm HS (TX) - second championship (first in Scholastic Open) and third medal in all classes (SA bronze medalists in 2014 and SA champions in 2010; )
2nd place: Shenendehowa HS (NY) - third medal in Scholastic Open (SO champions in 2016 and SO silver medalists in 2006)
3rd place: Noblesville HS (IN) - first medal in any class
Independent A:
1st place: Homage Independent (OH) - first medal and championship in any class (2025 was Homage’s first season of existence)
2nd place: Opus Independent (NC) - first medal in any class
3rd place: Pacificaires (Canada) - seventh medal in all classes (IA champions in 2023, 2018, and 2010; IO champions in 2011; IO silver medalists in 2016; IA bronze medalists in 2013)
Scholastic A:
1st place: Pope HS (GA) - first championship and fifth medal in any class, first appearance in finals since 2013 (SO bronze medalists in 2009, SA bronze medalists in 2008, SW bronze medalists in 2002, SO silver medalists in 2000)
2nd place: Melissa HS (TX) - first medal in any class (2025 was the first time Melissa HS attended World Championships)
3rd place: River Bluff HS (SC) - first medal in any class
First time finalists in any class:
IW - Elevate (IN)
IO - Blessed Sacrament Open (MA)
SO - Pearland HS (TX)
SO - Emerson HS (TX)
SO - Cy-Fair HS (TX)
IA - Homage Independent (OH)
IA - White & Gold Winterguard from Georgia Tech (GA)
IA - Beau Monde Independent (TN)
IA - University of Nevada Reno Winter Guard (NV)
IA - Vox Artium A (CA)
IA - RGV Winter Guard (TX)
IA - Relentless (FL)
SA - Melissa HS (TX)
SA - Clovis North HS (CA)
SA - Grain Valley HS (MO)
SA - John C. Birdlebough HS (NY)
SA - Jordan HS (TX)
SA - Katy HS Varsity (TX)
SA - Tomball Memorial HS (TX)
SA - Wylie HS (TX)
SA - Edwardsville HS (IL)
SA - Carroll HS (IN)
SA - Franklin HS (OH)
First time finalists in respective classes:
SW - American Fork HS (UT)
IO - Gates Chili Independent (NY)
IO - Noir Independent (GA)
IO - Purdue University Winter Guard (IN)
SO - Lockport Township HS (IL)
SO - Holly Springs HS (NC)
Miscellaneous facts:
Pride of Cincinnati (OH) became the first guard since 2001 to win Independent World after not being a finalist in the prior season. Three guards previously achieved this feat - Pride of Cincinnati in 2001, Blue Devils in 1995, and Erte in 1985 (Pride of Cincinnati returned this season after being inactive for the 2024 season).
The spread of 0.15 between Pride and Paramount (GA) was the closest spread between the top two guards in Independent World since 1992 when San Jose Raiders took the title by only 0.1 over Emerald Marquis which still holds the record as the closest ever finish between the top two in Independent World.
Fantasia (CA) earned their first medal since 2008 when they last won Independent World. After being inactive in 2009, the guard returned to finals in 2011 and has been a consistent finalist since, appearing in World Championship finals 11 times in the previous 13 seasons. Before this season, their highest placement since 2008 was a trio of fifth place finishes in 2011, 2023, and 2024.
The Woodlands HS (TX) won their first championship in Scholastic World and became the first guard from Texas to win the class. They also broke a streak of 26 consecutive seasons in which the class had been won by guards from Indiana, Florida, and California.
The silver medal claimed by Carmel HS (IN) continues an impressive streak of 18 consecutive seasons in which at least one school from Indiana has medaled in Scholastic World.
American Fork HS (UT) became the first guard from Utah to make finals in either World Class. This comes only two years after they became the first guard from Utah to make finals in any Scholastic class.
By winning Independent Open, 3rd Legend (Canada) became only the third different guard from Canada to win a championship and became the second Canadian guard to win Independent Open since Pacificaires in 2011. Other champions from Canada include Genesis II who won Independent A in 1990, and additional Independent A championships by Pacficaires in 2023, 2018, and 2010.
Little Elm HS (TX) won their second championship and first in Scholastic Open after winning Scholastic A in 2010. In doing so, they became the first guard from Texas to win Scholastic Open since 2014, and also set a new record score for the class with a 98.4 (the previous record was 98.35 set by The Woodlands HS in 2004).
Homage Independent (OH) won Independent A in, remarkably, their first season of existence. Despite Ohio’s prestigious history of excellence in WGI, the last time a guard from the state won Independent A before this year was The Lakota in 1999.
Pope HS (GA) finished the season as Scholastic A champions, their first championship in any class. The guard previously earned a medal in all three scholastic classes between 2000 and 2008 and this year, made finals at World Championships for the first time since 2013.
University of Nevada Reno (NV) became only the second guard ever (and first in an independent class) from Nevada to advance to finals competition. Damonte Ranch HS was Nevada’s first finalist, who appeared in Scholastic A finals in 2018 and 2019.
Blessed Sacrament extended their incredible streak of 44 consecutive finals appearances that began in 1980. Other guards that continued consecutive appearance streaks in 2025 are Warren Central HS (20 straight beginning in 2004), Onyx (19 straight beginning in 2005), and Carmel HS (17 straight beginning in 2007).
That does it for winter guard and the 2025 season! Stay tuned later this week when we continue the Milestones series by taking a look at Percussion and Winds Championships!