Lansdowne, PA – April 29, 2026
The Penn Wood High School track and field team hosted the 3rd annual Rap Curry Invitational at the Rap Curry Athletic Complex Kerr Field on April 18. The event honors the legacy of the late Rap Curry, a Penn Wood alumnus and former athletic director who was instrumental in helping to build our state-of-the-art facility. In attendance were his wife, State Representative Gina Curry, family members, and friends who came to honor and remember him as well as cheer on the competitors.
With more than 70 teams in attendance, the meet has established itself as a premier competition for athletes across the region and an important tune-up to the Penn Relays.
Penn Wood’s track team had a good day on the track, finishing first in the boys’ 4×800 meter relay with a time of 8:01.92 (David Gayflor – 1:59.98, Tawfeeq Fountain – 2:03.70, Harold Payne – 2:02.04, Ricky Mason – 1:56.19). The boys’ 4×400 meter relay finished in 2nd place with a time of 3:19.37 (Ricky Mason – 49.06, David Gayflor – 51.17, Desmond Cole – 48.74, Tawfeeq Fountain – 50.38). Additionally, Ricky Mason finished first in the 800-meter run with a season-best time of 1:56.18.
On the girls’ side, Surreyah Crawford was fourth in the 200m dash with a time of 25.69. The 4×400 meter relay team finished fifth with a time of 4:11.05 (Adjah Konde, Kierra Gibbs, Melanie Browne, Surreyah Crawford).
The meet also produced several marks that altered state and national leaderboards. Episcopal Academy’s Abaas Hunter ran 46.48 in the 400-meter, which was currently the 8th best time in the nation this year, the #1 time in Pennsylvania, and the 4th best all-time in PA. He also dominated the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.76. In the girls’ javelin, Ava Flicker of Perkiomen Valley threw 172’2”, which is a #1 distance nationally this year. In the girls’ 800-meter run, Gwen Hamilton of Penn Charter had a state-leading performance of 2:08.38.
Beyond the races, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of distinguished alumni. Afia Lewis, a 1997 graduate and current educator with the William Penn School District, was recognized for her athletic contributions. This tribute preceded her formal induction into the Delaware County Sports Hall of Fame on April 19.
The success of this year’s Rap Curry Invitational further solidifies the meet’s role as a cornerstone of the local track and field season. By bringing together hundreds of athletes and honoring the achievements of past graduates like Afia Lewis, the event continues to bridge the school’s history with its future. As the final races concluded, the day stood as a testament to the enduring community spirit and athletic excellence that Rap Curry championed throughout his career.
