Wildcats, Jankowski lead MV back to Indiana prominence

Special to the News

Mount Vernon is well-known across Southern Indiana for the school team’s excellence in swimming. The Mount Vernon boys’ team has lived up to the expectations as they traveled to Indianapolis to compete in IHSAA Swimming and Diving State Finals on Friday, February 27.

Mount Vernon High School hosted a send-off for the team on Friday, February 25 at 7:30 a.m.

MVHS Relay Team and Senior Ozzy Jankowski

Four students will be competing in the 200 Freestyle Relay: CJ Gentry, Clayton Green, Camas O’Daniel, and Ozzy Jankowski. Senior Jankowski will also be competing in the 100 Butterfly (seeded first) and the 100 Backstroke.

At Sectional, held at the Deaconess Aquatic Center on Saturday, February 21, Jankowski broke two sectional records: in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. Previously set by Olympian Bryce Hunt in 2000, the 100 backstroke record was the longest standing record at 26 years. Last year, Jankowski finished 13th in the 100 butterfly and 19th in backstroke.

Jankowski is a four-time PAC Conference Champion, IHSAA State Finalist (100 Butterfly), seven-time Indiana Swimming State Meet Finalist, and Indiana Top 10 Time Holder in multiple events. He has also competed nationally at the 2025 World Cup, Stadium Splash at Lucas Oil Stadium, Futures, and Speedo Sectionals. Post graduation, Jankowski will be swimming collegiately at Wabash College.

Senior Ryan McCollum will also be swimming at Wabash College following graduation. Individually, McCollum placed third in the 500 Freestyle and fourth in the 200 freestyle at the sectional. Camas O’Daniel was the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke sectional Runner-up. Mount Vernon’s 200 Free relay team was named Sectional Champions.

Quotes from Students on Advancing to State

Clayton Green: “It shows that dedication and commitment can get you anywhere.”

Camas O’Daniel: “The determination and hard work from the beginning of the season has almost been paid off in full.”

Ozzy Jankowski: “I look forward to continuing the tradition of Mount Vernon athletics at the State level.”

CJ Gentry: “I’m very excited to swim at State. Being a sophomore and only swimming two years, it is a blessing to make it this far with my guys, and I give all glory to God.”