How Ozzy Jankowski grew to become an IHSAA swimming state finals contender

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — Everything in regards to the swimming profession of Ozzy Jankowski matches the ‘late bloomer’ narrative.

The Mount Vernon High School senior was launched to the water at a really younger age. But his mom, an All-American and three-time MAC champion, refused to be the mother or father who pushed the game onto her baby. The spark wanted to come back naturally, if in any respect.

There then reached a degree the place Jankowski was begging to swim competitively. That was seventh grade. A real late begin.

It hasn’t stopped a continuous, meteoric rise which places him able to attain a particular weekend.

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Jankowski enters the Indiana High School Athletic Association state finals on Friday, Jan. 27 as a high contender in two occasions: the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke. Mount Vernon has by no means had a person state champion in program historical past.

“He has been laying a foundation for 2 1/2 years,” Erinn Jankowski, his coach and mom, stated. “It’s not something people notice unless you’re in swim land. It’s that steady, continual progress and climb. What people are seeing now is what has been worked toward for 2 1/2 years. That’s been the game plan. Be ready for this stage and this time.”

It’s spectacular how this has come about been in a comparatively brief time from the skin.

Jankowski did not begin aggressive swimming till seventh grade. His solely prior expertise was Howell Park rec groups for enjoyable. He additionally broke his arm in a “freak accident” in eighth grade, leading to essential missed time. The basis was shortly laid as soon as he reached highschool. The outcomes have been incrementally higher every year.

His greatest sectional end as a freshman was seventh. Second as a sophomore. A 3-time sectional champion and state qualifier as a junior. Jankowski has taken it one other stage additional this winter as evident by his newest match success.

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The senior earned three sectional titles (48.63 seconds within the 100 fly, 49.96 within the 100 again, 1:29.71 within the 200 freestyle relay) and set meet information in each particular person occasions. The backstroke mark had been held for 26 years by United States Olympian Bryce Hunt. The instances certified him for All-American consideration and the Winter Junior National within the butterfly.

“Each year, I’ve improved a good amount,” he stated. “When I get in that atmosphere, it’s really easy to dig in another level. I’m looking forward to meeting some of my rivals that I haven’t seen in a while around Indy.”

What has elevated him into the very best tier this season could be his mindset.

Erinn Jankowski, a four-time state finalist at Richmond earlier than a adorned school profession with Ball State and competed within the 2000 Olympic Trials, has seen the entire development. Her son is inquisitive and curious. Always keen to place within the effort but additionally all the time “pushes the driver’s seat” himself. Remember, his mom wished the idea for swimming to be pure enjoyment.

Jankowski is seeded first within the 100 butterfly and second within the 100 backstroke this weekend.

“He’s very consistent,” she stated. “I feel like all of his experiences and training progression, he is super locked in. He meal preps per his request. He’s always asking for the extra practice. He knows what he wants. Ozzy had some of the fastest times in the state, consistently performing it.

“He has been placing himself in place to know his opponents. They’ve seen him coming. He has earned it.”

The physical and mental stamina required for competitive swimming, at least at the level in which the senior competes, isn’t for the weak. Therein might lie the key for this consistent rise of the last four years. A typical day in the life of Ozzy Jankowski goes as follows:

• 5 a.m. wake up with his bag, outfit and breakfast prepared the previous night.
• 90-minute practice at Mount Vernon followed by a 90-minute lift.
• Core 40 classes at MV followed by a drive to Harrison High School for advanced classes as part of the Randall T. Shepard Leadership and Law Academy.
• A drive back to Mount Vernon for another two-hour afternoon practice.

The most important lesson from the entire experience? Delayed gratification. Nothing happens overnight and takes the right preparation to achieve a goal. Jankowski is also an Academic All-American, a National Honor Society member and an Eagle Scout. He recently signed to swim next year at Wabash College and study pre-law.

“Lots of inside motivation,” Jankowski said. “The meets and medals aren’t actually what motivates me. I actually like seeing the small progress each single day. When I do some bit higher than per week or day earlier than, that offers me a giant smile once I’m driving throughout city.”

The path has led to Indianapolis for his remaining highschool meet. His instances all through the season firmly place him in rivalry for a state championship (or two). Only the 200 freestyle relay staff in 1998 introduced dwelling a blue medal to Mount Vernon boys swimming. He’ll compete in that occasion too alongside teammates Camas O’Daniel, Colton Gentry and Clayton Green.

There are a number of components out of his management, mainly how his opponents will fare. Will the ambiance have an effect on his race? Jankowski is aware of a part of the sport plan is to “keep in your lane” and lock in on himself. Where the true goal lies though isn’t a specific spot on the podium. He’s aiming for time standards to qualify for Summer Junior Nationals.

“That lower time is the Holy Grail of my season,” Jankowski said. “My placement, if I’m in a position to go that point, will include that. If I went the time I used to be seeded and obtained first, that wouldn’t deliver me as a lot pleasure as if I obtained second with the time.”

It’s been a rewarding experience for mother and son, regardless of the end result on Saturday. Four straight years of practices and too many dinner conversations to count. “My husband is a saint. He’s dwelling it 24/7,” Erinn said. She also wouldn’t trade that time away for anything.

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She’s seen a different side of her son these last four years. That journey could result in a state champion.

“To see him shine in his factor and in a management place,” Erinn Jankowski said. “Those small moments that I by no means would get the chance to have if I wasn’t his coach has been a blessing. It’s not straightforward. There are troublesome days and instances to be very intentional at leaving swimming as a replacement. Other instances, we’re being each enthusiastic about it. We can have these conversations. It’s an exquisite connection.”

Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.