Congratulations to First Flight Winter Guard on an unforgettable 2026 season — they are your WGI Independent Open World Champions, closing out finals in Dayton with a jaw-dropping score of 98.9. That score didn't just win the class — it was the highest score across every class at WGI World Championships this year, and it now stands as the third-highest score in Independent Open history.
But the number alone doesn't tell the real story of this season.
This year's First Flight roster was made up of just 13 veteran members and 30 rookies — many of them fresh out of high school and stepping onto the competitive floor with this program for the very first time. That's an extraordinary ratio for any guard, let alone one that walked away World Champions. Building a program capable of a 98.9 with a majority-rookie roster speaks to the strength of the coaching staff, the culture within the organization, and the work ethic of every performer who committed themselves to the process this season.
It's a testament to what happens when experience and fresh energy come together — the veterans provided the leadership and consistency, while the rookies brought new life, new perspective, and clearly, no shortage of talent.
Congratulations to the performers, instructors, and staff of First Flight on a historic season. Here's to an even brighter 2027.