Sean Golembiewski will go down as one of the top runners in Hopkinton High School history. PHOTO/HHS ATHLETICS
Hopkinton High School track and field standout Sean Golembiewski was thrilled to be participating in the New Balance Nationals earlier this month, but the showcase became even more special when he had the chance to compete in the venue that will be his home for the coming four years.
The meet took place at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field, a stadium that predates Fenway Park by more than a decade and is the home of the University of Pennsylvania’s track and field team, the very program for which Golembiewski will compete.
“It was amazing,” Golembiewski said of the experience. “There are maybe two or three other stadiums in the country that are as historic and as big and cool as that one. There were a bunch of fans there, and it was really loud. I am even more excited to go there next year.”
At nationals, Golembiewski took part in the 400-meter hurdles (25th place), the 110-meter hurdles (16th) and the shuttle hurdle relay (10th anchoring a team that included Paul Litscher, Will Bialobrzeski and Drew Bialobrzeski). It marked the end of a standout track and field career that saw numerous highlights, but no stronger season than his senior year.
Golembiewski captured three state titles this year, winning the 55 hurdles during the indoor season and capturing the state championships in both the high and low hurdle events during the outdoor track campaign. He also was able to set personal bests in all of his events. With the goal of winning state titles top of mind heading into the year, Golembiewski said he was able to approach his season differently.
“I could kind of take the first half of the season and not run as many meets and instead train and lift a lot, which is what I felt like I needed,” he said. “By the time we got to championship season, I didn’t have as many races in my legs.”
His strong individual performances also helped Hopkinton’s team succeed. The Hillers captured the state relay championships for the first time ever and finished second at the Division 2 state meet.
“It cemented our team as the best team in program history,” said Golembiewski, who also helped the HHS soccer team to a runner-up finish in the fall.
Golembiewski is going to transition to the decathlon next year. He said he is not the typical decathlete in that he will have to learn field events like throwing and pole vault, but he already is particularly strong in many of the racing events. His background will influence his training this summer.
“I don’t want to build any bad habits, but I want to lift a lot and try some of the throwing events and learn the basics of pole vaulting,” Golembiewski said.
Golembiewski said he will attend a camp for pole vaulting and will benefit from having a multi-event coach at Penn who specializes in the event.
In attention to track, Golembiewski said he is looking forward to the experience of attending a college in the heart of a big city.
“It’s so big, a real metropolis,” he said. “There are unlimited options for what I can do there.”
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