The 99-point barrier can be one of the biggest hurdles that a drum corps will surpass during the nearly three-month competitive season. It's a hurdle that has not ever been achieved before finals night—except for one time. The Cavaliers earned a 99.05 in semifinals in 2002. 

Only four times since Drum Corps International's inception in 1972 has a drum and bugle corps walked away from retreat with a 99.

But, it doesn't take a 99 to win. In fact, it's pretty hard to describe the difference between a 97 and a 99, but that's on the judges to decide.

Most recently, Santa Clara Vanguard grabbed the 10th spot for the highest winning scores at DCI World Championship finals. The corps had a sky-high trajectory all season long, hinting at a monumentally high-scoring finals run. Although the trend slowed in the last weeks leading into Indianapolis, SCV still managed to break into the top on August 11.

Top 10 Highest Winning Scores In DCI