Class of 2020 Press Release

Central Columbia
Athletic Hall of Fame
Class of 2020 Press Release

Mike Spear
Mike Spear a 1970 graduate of Central Columbia High School, participated in Football, Basketball and Track and Field for four years earning numerous varsity letters where he was a team captain for both Football and Track and Field during his senior year. Mike was a pioneer in many ways at Central Columbia. Mike was a key member of Central Columbia’s first ever football team with a winning season in 1969. Mike held many receiving records for many years in football. While competing in Track and Field, Mike was a hurdle specialist capturing the District IV Championship in the high hurdles and providing Central Columbia their first ever District IV Event Champion. While capturing that District IV Title, Mike became Central Columbia’s first ever PIAA State Track and Field Qualifier. While participating in football, Mike became the first football player ever from Central Columbia to earn a Big 33 All-Star Selection. Mike also enjoyed a great professional career as a police officer. He was named Chief of Police for the Central Berks Region. In 1988, he was awarded the Police Officer of the Year Award. Mike also contributed back to the community by being named the Head Golf Coach at Central Catholic and Berks Catholic High Schools and in 1994 was named Golf Coach of the Year.

Chrissy Fink-Turpin
Chrissy Fink-Turpin graduated in 1991 and was very involved in athletics during her years at Central Columbia High School. Chrissy participated in field hockey and softball both for four years. She was a team member of the 1991 PIAA District IV double “AA” Softball Championship Team. While competing in softball she captured many records: record for career stolen bases at 200, career scoring record at 171 and held numerous batting records. In 1991, she was named the Outstanding Senior Athlete, Press-Enterprise All-Star, a member of the Scholastic Division All-Star for field hockey and named Most Valuable Player in the Mid-Penn League for softball. Chrissy attended Bloomsburg University majoring and earning a degree in Exercise Science. While attending Bloomsburg University, she was named an All-American Field Hockey Player and was a member of the 1993 National Champion Field Hockey Team at Bloomsburg University. Chrissy was also a member of the 1991, 1992 and 1994 National Championship Runner-Up Field Hockey Teams while attending Bloomsburg University. She earned her second degree in Dietetics from the University of Maryland. Chrissy is a Registered Dietitian, and is board certified in Strength and Conditioning with the American College of Sports Medicine. She is currently employed at Towson State University.

Aaron Wurster
Aaron Wurster graduated from Central Columbia in 1992, he participated in three sports for four years while earning numerous varsity letters in Football, Wrestling and Track and Field. Aaron was a contributing member of the 1991 Eastern Conference South 2 Championship Football Team and was the 1992 Sectional Champion, District IV Runner-Up, Regional Champion and State Qualifier in Wrestling. He completed his wrestling career at Central Columbia with a senior year record of 34 wins against 3 losses. Aaron was named the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year in football and captured many championships in wrestling. Aaron graduated from Wilkes University in 1997 with a degree in Public Administration. While attending Wilkes University, Aaron was a four-year starter and two-year captain on Wilkes University’s Wrestling Team placing fifth in 1995 at the EIWA. Aaron currently is the Sergeant of Police in Gastonoia, NC.

Jason Bartholomew
Jason Bartholomew is a 1995 graduate of Central Columbia where he was an outstanding threesport athlete. Jason excelled in football, bowling and track & field. He earned 12 varsity letters in four years of athletics here at Central Columbia. During his athletic career he was a four-year starter in all three of his sports and was a member of multiple team championships such as the 1992, 1993 and 1994 District IV Football Championship Teams. He was also named the 1995 MVP of Central Columbia’s Bowling Team and held sprinting and jumping records in track and field for many years. Jason holds the record for most yards rushing in a single game 354, leader in single game touchdowns in football at 5 and holds the single season rushing record at 2,093 yards. Jason presently is employed by the Central Columbia School District as part of the high school’s guidance department.

Mitchell Liddick
Mitchell Liddick graduated in 2015 and was a varsity letter winner in Boys Track and Field for four years where he excelled in the jumping and vaulting events. In 2015, Mitchell was the PIAA District IV double “AA” pole vault champion as well as the PIAA double “AA” State Track and Field Champion competing in the pole vault. Mitchell vaulted 14’6” to capture the state championship. He is the second most accomplished pole vaulter in Central Columbia Boys Track and Field history. Mitchell was a multiple student/athlete award winner as well as an Academic Honors student. Mitchell also in 2015 was awarded the Coaches’ Award for his determination to accomplish his goals and well as strived to assist his fellow teammates in reaching their goals as well. Mitchell attended Bloomsburg University where he earned two degrees in Biology and Secondary Education.

1993 Baseball Team
Members of this team were Joe Crawford, Daniel Yeager, Lance Seesholtz, Nick Adams, Danny Ruckle, John Vezendy, Jeremy Zeisloft, Stu Hartman, Jeremy Winn, Keith Smith, Shawn Evans, Neil Yost, Frank Reese, Robert Shaffer, Jody Sorber, Brad Keller, Shawn McCabe, Brian O’Keefe, Matt Ritter, Mike Dietterick, Chris Beck, Mike Lackner and Bryan Claytor. The 1993 Baseball Team was coached by Head Coach the late Don Engle and his assistants Gerry Devlin and Harry Mathias. This team captured numerous championships such as the 1993 Columbia County League Title, Mid-Penn League Title and the District IV Title. The 1993 Baseball Team advanced to the PIAA State Final Four losing to Wyomissing 1-0. This team ended their season with a record of 21wins and only 4 losses. This team was comprised of many multiple sport athletes that excelled at each sport they participated in here at Central Columbia