Winchester Thurston senior Indie Pascal opened her 2026 cross country season in impressive fashion Friday evening, capturing the Girls Class A title at the 24th Annual Red, White & Blue Classic at White Oak Park. Pascal crossed the finish line in 20:42.7, taking home the victory and providing an early glimpse of what could be a special senior season. Pascal didn’t enter the race putting pressure on herself to win or chasing a specific time. Instead, she approached the starting line with a much simpler goal: compete, give her best effort, and be proud of whatever happened.
“I felt excited,” Pascal said. “I just wanted to do my best, and I knew that whatever I did, I’d be proud of myself. And I am proud of myself.”
That approach represents one of the biggest changes for Pascal entering the 2026 season. It isn’t something found on the stopwatch or written into her summer training plan. Instead, it’s a different mentality she now brings with her to the starting line. When asked about her summer training and what adjustments she made coming into her senior season, Pascal explained that her biggest change wasn’t physical.
“I didn’t really change much,” Pascal said. “I think I mostly changed my mental mindset. I feel a lot stronger mentally. It was mostly about believing in myself.”
That confidence wasn’t always there a season ago. Last year, Pascal found herself thinking about times often, and reaching certain marks created additional pressure. This season, she is trying to approach racing differently putting less emphasis on what the clock says and more on believing in herself and being proud of the effort she gives.
“I didn’t really believe in myself last year,” Pascal said. “I thought about times a lot and felt like I had to hit certain times. This year, I was more like, ‘I’m going to be proud of myself, whatever I do.’ I’m stronger.”
Friday’s performance provided an early example of what that new approach could mean for Pascal this season. Instead of allowing the clock to define her race, she focused on competing and seeing where it could take her. After the race, Pascal was asked to describe her Red, White & Blue victory in just one word. Her answer perfectly matched the mentality she has worked to develop heading into her senior season.
“Determined,” Pascal said.
The determination was there, but the victory itself still came as a surprise. Pascal wasn’t expecting to be the first runner across the finish line, making the moment even more memorable when she realized she had won.
“I was very shocked,” Pascal said. “I was really shocked.”
While Friday was an individual victory for Pascal, she was quick to point toward the people around her who continue to make running enjoyable. For Pascal, her Winchester Thurston teammates provide more than competition at practice. They are also part of what continues to motivate her throughout the season.
“I love my team,” Pascal said. “We have so much fun, and that motivates me. Everyone is super strong, and I think that makes us all really strong together. It’s just so much fun, and that makes me happy and makes me stronger.”
A Red, White & Blue victory is a strong way to begin a senior season, but Pascal has already set her sights on something bigger.
“I want to medal at states,” Pascal said. “That’s my goal. I’ve never medaled at states before, so I really want to do that.”
Friday night at White Oak Park was more than a victory to open Pascal’s senior season. It was an early sign of a runner approaching the year with a different mindset and a new level of confidence. The stopwatch will eventually tell part of her story, but Pascal’s goals this season will require more than fast times. Her first test of 2026 ended with a Red, White & Blue victory. Now, with her sights set on earning her first PIAA State Championship medal, Pascal will have the opportunity to find out just how far that determination can take her.
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