Zarley, a native of Croton, Ohio, was a two-time captain of the Northridge High School cross country team as a junior and senior. Her personal best was a 25:08 at the Mid-Buckeye Conference meet as a senior. She was also selected as an Ohio High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete and received the Butch Davidson Award as a senior. She was selected as the Leadership Award recipient as a junior and received the Viking Award in addition to serving as the student council treasurer as a sophomore.

"I am excited about the addition of Abigail to our cross country team,” said MVNU head coach Chip Wilson. "She brings a positive personality to the team and is willing to work hard and learn to make herself a better runner and person. She is joining a group of girls who will challenge her and push her to reach her full potential, and I am looking forward to coaching her.”

"I chose MVNU for several reasons,” said Zarley of her college choice. "I feel that it will be a experience for me not only with cross country, but also spiritually. It is close to home, has outstanding academics, and has a warm and friendly environment. It also feels like my home away from home since both my brother, (former MVNU basketball player) Nick, and sister, (former Lady Cougar softball player) Sandi, attended MVNU.”

The MVNU cross country program was reborn in the fall of 2006 after not having a program since the 1979 season. The Lady Cougars have been competitive in their first two seasons back on the college cross country map as evidenced by the team’s results as MVNU finished 10th at the AMC/NAIA Region IX meet in 2007 and 21st out of 24 teams at the National Christian College Athletic Association meet.