DLN ALL-AREA: Fechtman leads well-rounded Downingtown East, and dreams of big finale next year
Dowingtown East junior swimmer DJ Fechtman, the 2020 Daily Local News All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year, is a multi-talented performer whose versatility paid off in three medals at the PIAA Class 3A championships in March.
Fechtman finished sixth in the 100 back, eighth in the 100 fly, and seventh in 200 medley relay as the Cougars’ leadoff swimmer.
D-East boys’ swimming coach Gigi Graesser said, “DJ’s biggest attribute is that he ‘delivers’ and he loves to race every time he is swimming in a high school meet. Not only in big meets like Districts or States – he swims hard every time. I can put him in any event like 200 IM, 200 free, 100 back, 100 fly, sprint … you name it, he will come through for the team. He is well liked by the whole team and he is fun to be around.
“I can’t wait to see what he has in store for next year and what he will accomplish.”
At States last month, Fechtman got off to a flying start in the 100 fly prelims. Seeded at a time of 51.42, he was clocked at 50.33 in the prelims. His 100 fly time broke a 10-year-old team record that belonged to Matt Salig.
“I really enjoyed this race and it was a lot of fun dropping so much time in it,” said Fechtman. “I think that one of the things that helped me perform so well was that I could hear my coach and teammates cheering me on from my lane. I was in lane 8 so they were right next to me and I could hear them cheering me on and it really pushed me to finish out that race.”
In the 200 free relay at States, Fechtman helped the D-East quartet finish second in the B final, and set a school record (1:27.34) in the prelims.
“I think my favorite memory at States was the 200 free relay – we had two graduating seniors (Jack Inman and Ben Doyle) and we broke the team record,” said Fechtman. “This was Jack’s last race and one of Ben’s last races as a member of East, and to break the team record and move up a couple places between prelims and finals was really memorable. One of my good friends, [junior] Aiden Carroll, was also on that relay and it was his first time swimming in States. Considering all this, it was definitely one of the best moments at States as we all shared this moment together.”
At Districts, Fechtman did well, helping the Cougars finish first in the 200 medley relay (as the leadoff swimmer) and placing third in the 100 back.
“I think that the best memory from Districts was from the 200 medley relay – which was actually my worst race of the meet but it is a really fun story,” said Fechtman. “I slipped off the start, left about a second late and had to make up the time. We still got first place, and I think that all of the members in our relay would definitely say it was one of the most vivid memories from Districts.”
During the regular season, Fechtman earned Ches-Mont League Boys Swimmer of the Year honors.
“This award means a lot to me,” said Fechtman. “There are a lot of really great swimmers in the Ches-Mont, from my teammates Ben and Jack to some of the guys on the other teams like Dylan [Dyland Smolders of West Chester Henderson] and JP [JP Perucki of West Chester East], and any of them could have won the award. It means a lot to win this award because of how competitive our league is.”
Fechtman first developed his interest in competitive swimming when he was a youngster living in Florida.
“I had a lot of really great coaches that drew me into the sport, and a lot of people that helped me throughout my career – first is my coach on my club team [Suburban Seahawks Club in Newtown Square], Coach Charlie Kennedy,” said Fechtman. “If it wasn’t for him I would not be anywhere near as fast as I am now. He is an amazing coach and he is the reason why I am where I am at now.
“Coach Gigi [Graesser] is also a great mentor for me. She really has helped me this year and has been a great coach this year. After my race at Districts when I slipped, she really helped me tweak my start and helped me get in the right mindset for the 100 back.”
Fechtman’s favorite swimming venue is at the Suburban Seahawks Club.
“It definitely isn’t the best pool that I have ever swam in but it’s where I practice and I really love that pool,” said Fechtman. “My favorite place to race is the IUPUI pool in Indianapolis. This pool is really nice and I have a lot of great memories there.”
While Fechtman swims for Downingtown East, he actually attends the Downingtown STEM Academy, where his favorite subject is math.
“I would be interested in doing something that is related to math in the future,” said Fechtman. “But at this time I am not sure of what I want to major in at college.”
College is still more than a year away for Fechtman, who is looking forward to another banner year of swimming for Downingtown East.
FUN FACTS: DJ Fechtman
Favorite TV show: South Park.
Favorite movie: Dumb and Dumber.
Favorite athletes: Matisse Thybulle, Courtland Sutton, Deion Sanders.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up songs: Back in Black, by AC/DC; You Should’ve Known, by Hopsin.
Favorite team: Denver Broncos.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Mac and cheese.
Family members: parents David Sr. and Lorri, older sister Maggie, younger sister Ella.
