The Amy Schuerholz Metz and Charm City Run Scholarship is more than recognition—it’s a call to action that inspires me to pursue my passions and embrace every opportunity to grow as an individual.

By: Jacob Paul, 2024 male recipient of the Amy Schuerholz Metz and Charm City Run Scholarship presented by Saucony

My name is Jacob Paul, and I was the 2024 male recipient of the Amy Schuerholz Metz and Charm City Run Scholarship presented by Saucony.

I am incredibly honored and grateful to receive this scholarship. This recognition not only affirms my commitment to running and academics but also reminds me of how far I’ve come as both an athlete and a person. Running has always been a source of joy and clarity for me—what began as a simple way to stay active quickly became a passion that shaped much of my early life.

In high school, I discovered my love for track and field—specifically, hurdling. There was something rewarding about the technical and physical demands of hurdling: the need for speed, power, and precision all at once. Training and competing taught me focus and discipline, but it also gave me pride and purpose. Whether it was race day under the spring sun or long practices filled with drills and repetition, I loved the process. It was never just about winning—it was about pushing past barriers, both physical and mental.

When I got to college, I expected to leave competitive sports behind, but a new challenge caught my attention: tennis. Using my learning experience from track and field  I was able to walk on to the University of Hartford’s brand-new Division III tennis program. With no Division III program history, I joined a group of motivated student-athletes with a shared vision, as we set out to build something meaningful from the ground up.

Becoming part of the tennis team has been one of the most transformative experiences of my college journey. As a walk-on, I had to earn my place through hard work and dedication. Being involved in launching this new program has taught me valuable lessons in resilience, teamwork, and leadership. From practices to strength training and team-building sessions, I’ve grown significantly—not only as an athlete, but as a person. This process has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and helped shape the way I approach goals and obstacles in all areas of life.

Though I’m no longer running competitively, I still lace up my Saucony shoes to train and stay in shape. Running remains an essential part of my training. It grounds me, builds my endurance, and helps me stay sharp for tennis. Whether I’m sprinting, going on a recovery run, or clearing my head, my Saucony’s are always with me. They are a reminder of where I started and the foundation that running helped me build.

Running will always have a special place in my heart. I’m incredibly thankful to Saucony, Charm City Run, and the Schuerholz Metz family for supporting student-athletes like me. This scholarship has not only helped support my education and athletic journey—it continues to inspire me to strive, grow, and carry the spirit of athleticism forward.