Inscribed on the inside of Abby Hurst's class ring, four words keep her going.

“Run like a horse.”

A mantra of sorts, Hurst lets the saying push her during races. Made famous by BYU track and cross country coach Ed Eyestone, the words especially fit Hurst, who draws inspiration from the power of a horse's stride.

She also runs for Blackfoot, which claims the Bronco as its mascot.

As a senior, Hurst emerged from the shadows of former Blackfoot greats to take the lead of the Broncos' program. She capped her prep cross country career with consistent finishes in the front of the pack, guiding her team near the top of the 4A totem pole.

Hurst is the Idaho State Journal All-Area Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

As a seventh-grader, Hurst had never heard of cross country. But she gave it a shot and gave way to a new passion.

By the end of her sophomore season, Hurst was one of the top runners at the 4A level. She took fifth place at the 4A state meet to end a season that yielded seven top-five finishes.

“I enjoyed the thrill afterwards,” Hurst said. “The middle of the race was tough, but kicking to the finish line was always a joyful time.”

In her four-year Blackfoot career, Hurst was always one of the Broncos' top runners.

But until she was a senior, she was always on the heels of someone else.

Hurst was mentored by Blackfoot alumni Rachel Cannon and Michelle Pratt, who combined to win five 4A District 5-6 titles and one state championship in cross country, with numerous accolades from track and field. Both taught her valuable lessons and led their teams by performance and example.

With Cannon and Hurst out of the picture as college athletes, Hurst knew it was her time to step up and fill their roles as a team leader.

“It's something that I decided that I needed to do,” Hurst said. “I was a little nervous about leading, because I don't really like to be the center of attention. But when I could see what the impact had on other girls, it kind of encouraged me to try better and be a better leader.”

Hurst, who is soft-spoken by nature, led by example. A four-year varsity veteran with success to accent her resume, Hurst was Blackfoot's top finisher in each race this season. She led the 155-runner field at the Bob Firman Invitational, won the Clear Lake Classic 11 days later and ran a personal-best time of 19 minutes, 14.3 seconds at the Firth Invitational eight days after that.

Hurst capped her season with a runner-up finish at the district meet and sixth-place finish at state.

“She's not your typical rah-rah, get in peoples' faces,” Blackfoot coach Jason Lish said. “You see what she does and follow. … She's kind of what you call a quiet leader. Just lead by example.”

Hurst was followed closely all season by freshman teammate Tenleigh Smith – perhaps the next in line to lead the program. Hurst still has a final track season to prepare for, with Cannon's school record in the 3,200 meters in her sights.

After that, a spot on a college team may await. Hurst has been courted by a few area programs, including Utah Valley University, which Hurst lists as her top option.

For her success, Hurst has many she wants to thank: Lish, former head coach Heidi Graham, assistant coach Debbie Armstrong, Blackfoot Principal Roger Thomas and Pocatello assistant coach Dan Grimes.

“They really helped me out a lot with improving my talents and taking care of me as an athlete and a friend,” Hurst said.

Before the state meet in October, Hurst and her teammates watched “Secretariat,” the inspirational film chronicling the life and career of the Triple Crown-winning race horse from the 1970s. She cites it as one of her favorite motivational movies.

"Run like a horse."

“The mentality to just have faith in what you can do,” Hurst said. “Faith in your legs.”