2021 Inductees

The Apex Cougar Club is excited to announce this year’s Apex High School/Apex Consolidated 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees:

JESSIE “JAKE” GILBERT SR.
YOREL HAWKINS
Landon Powell
Kevin todd
william Howard “doc” watson
Emil Weiss

JESSIE “JAKE” GILBERT SR.

CLASS OF 1965

Jessie “Jake” Gilbert Sr. is a lifelong Apex resident who attended Apex Consolidated High School and graduated in 1965. A three-sport athlete, Jake was a two-time co-captain in basketball, a starting catcher in baseball, and a 440 yard and a 880 yard relay runner on the track team.

After graduating from high school, Jake joined the United States Navy where he spent time in Cuba and Spain. After completing his time in the Navy, Jake returned home and started a family. Married for 54 years, he has five children, and all of his children attended Apex schools. Jake has been active in the Apex community as a youth sports coach and a member of the Saint Mary AME Church. In 1974, he started working for the Town of Cary and he eventually became the first African-American to attain the title of Superintendent and eventually Field Operations Manager and then Operations Coordinator. Jake’s success at the Town of Cary made an impact as he encouraged many in his community to become employed with the town. His work ethic and success became an inspiration for his children to serve. Jake has four sons and one daughter (Rodriguez, Jessie Jr, Jacques, Willis and Bianca). His son, Jacques, currently serves as the Mayor of Apex.

Yorel Hawkins

CLASS OF 2007

View more pictures of Yorel here

Yorel Hawkins is a 2007 graduate of Apex High School. While at Apex, Yorel was a two-time First Team All-Conference player and a two-time Conference Player of the Year. During a career in which he scored over 1,400 points, Yorel was also an Honorable Mention McDonald’s All-American his senior season. Furthermore, Hawkins was named to the prestigious GlaxoSmithKline All-Tournament team. Remarkably, as a senior, Yorel registered a double double for the entire season, averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds per game. He just missed out on a season-long double double as a junior, finishing with 20.3 points and 9 rebounds per outing. To cap off his high school career, he was selected for the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game. While Hawkins was at Apex, the Cougars captured three straight conference championships.

After graduating from Apex High School, Yorel went on to have a very successful career at Fairfield University, where he scored over 1,000 points and had over 500 career rebounds. He was also named to the 2011 All-Conference team during his senior season at Fairfield. After graduating from Fairfield University with a sociology degree, Yorel played professionally for C.A.T. Vegevano in Italy.

As a show of his pride for the Apex Community, Yorel organized an alumni basketball game for former men’s and women’s players, and that game also served as a successful community food and clothes drive. Through his basketball training program, he has been able to use basketball to positively influence and mentor youth with positive life lessons. Yorel has a phrase that he lives by and imparts to his mentees as part of his lessons: “Keep the squares out of your circle.”

LANDON POWELL

CLASS OF 2000

Landon Powell graduated from Apex High School in December 2000 as one the school’s most decorated baseball players of All-Time. At Apex, Landon started every game behind the plate as a freshman and was named an All-Conference player, thanks to hitting 9 home runs and advancing the Cougars to the state semi-finals. During his junior season, the Apex Cougars claimed the 2000 State 4A Championship. During that junior season, Landon hit 16 home runs and was named an All-State and All-American player. Not only an elite catcher, Landon would often come in as a shut-down reliever as well. Baseball America rated him as the No. 2 player in his class. An outstanding all-around athlete, Landon also played quarterback on the varsity football team his freshman and sophomore years, and lettered in basketball during his junior year. In 1999, the “Scholastic Sports America” weekly television program featured Landon and in 2010 the News and Observer named Landon Apex High School’s best athlete of all-time.

In December 2000 Landon graduated a semester early and enrolled at the University of South Carolina. During his time there, the Gamecocks were the winningest team in college baseball and made three appearances in the College World Series. In 2010, Landon was named to the “Legends of Rosenblatt,” the All-Time College World Series team. The summer after his sophomore season, Landon played for Team USA as they claimed the World University Games title. Landon twice earned All-SEC honors and was a consensus All-American in 2004. That year he was also given the university’s Male Athlete of the Year award. He completed his days at the University of South Carolina having played in the most games of any Gamecock payer and more wins than any player in school history. He was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame in 2014.

The Oakland Athletics drafted Landon in the first round of the 2004 draft ,and while playing in the major league for the As, he became the 17th player in MLB history to catch a perfect game from pitcher Dallas Braden in 2010. Landon retired from professional baseball in 2013 and he is currently residing in Greenville, South Carolina, where he is serving as a very successful head baseball coach at North Greenville University.

Kevin Todd

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH AT APEX HIGH SCHOOL: 2001-2020

Legendary Coach Kevin Todd’s coaching career at Apex High School spanned 29 years from 1991-2020. Coach Todd is a two-time “State Coach of the Year” selection and, during his tenure, he won 11 conference championships in men’s soccer and 15 conference championships in women’s soccer. On top of this, his men’s team won the Wake County Cup in 2015. A remarkable feat which very few coaches anywhere in high school can match, Coach Todd won a state championship in both men’s soccer in 2005 and another State Championship in women’s soccer in 2007. He was then selected as head coach in the North Carolina vs. South Carolina Women’s All-Star Game in 2008, as well as the men’s head coach in the East vs. West North Carolina Coaches Association All-Star Game in 2006.

While Coach Todd’s accomplishments reflect hall-of-fame caliber coaching credentials, the positive relationships Coach Todd fostered with his athletes and his students are what will be his legacy. Considered a master motivator by his athletes, Coach Todd was ahead of his time in advocating visualization techniques and implementing other areas of sports psychology. Coach Todd always carried himself with the highest character, constant positivity, unparalleled humility and a supportive, yet relentless drive to push those around him to be their best selves. His infectious smile and constant spirited positivity were staples. On the field, he was the epitome of sportsmanship, beloved by his own team, opposing teams and officials as well. Over the years, opposing coaches came to view him not just as a competitor, but as a friend.

Coach Todd’s style was legendary as well. His impossible-to-duplicate neatness with his ball cap, his mustache and his coordinated outfits were synonymous with CAT soccer. He was consistently supportive and kind, while at the same time pushing athletes and students beyond what they thought they were capable of achieving—both in the classroom and on the pitch. He always built players up to make them believe in themselves.

According to Coach Todd’s family, they are sure that his calling was always to make those around him smile and enjoy the moments of life that we often miss. He did everything with passion. His classmates in junior high and high school enjoyed his enthusiasm and plots to prank someone throughout the days, and noted that he always made it a point to include those who were not always included. He also sang in the high school musical, “Oklahoma,” as Judd, offering further proof that he was always so entertaining and willing to do the things to bring light and life into the atmosphere.

His love of family came to life in his conversations with his mother. Their talks on Saturday mornings were full of laughter, joy and peace of mind for both. Mr. Oltmans and an Apex High School friend summed him up by comparing his life to a tree. The tree symbolizes him as tall, strong, beautiful; always giving to others; and providing shade, refuge and relief for all those around.

Coach Todd was purposeful, powerful, generous, gentle and genuinely kind. And that Kevin Todd smile transported you into his world of living in the moment, giving out of the love he had for His creator, and remaining in the shadows far from the spotlight he made for others. He created family and a sense of belonging wherever he was, and we have shared the benefits of his efforts.

Coach Todd will always be remembered by the Apex community as a champion coach. He was a mentor, respected classroom teacher and friend who always made you feel like it made his day to speak to you. Coach Todd established the winning traditions of CAT soccer while being relentlessly positive and uplifting. As Coach Todd would often say, “Let’s make it a great day!”

William howard “doc” watson

CLASS OF 1982

William Howard “Doc” Watson is a 1982 graduate of Apex High School who was an outstanding football player for the Cougars. He was a starting tight end on offense and a starting defensive end as well. Howard was named All-Conference and All-Metropolitan as both a junior and senior in high school. During both of those seasons, Howard led the team in receptions, and during his senior season, he led Apex with 149 tackles. 58 of those tackles were solo tackles and 22 of those were for a loss. On top of those outstanding defensive statistics, he was also able to average 21.2 yards per catch. Due to his outstanding feats, he was named the All-Metropolitan 3-A Player of the Year and named to the All East team. Howard was also an outstanding basketball player for the Cougars as one of the leading scorers on the team. Due to his outstanding abilities in multiple sports, he was named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year for Apex High School.

A noteworthy fact about Howard Watson is that he is the first-ever recipient of the WRAL Extra Effort Award. As most people who live in the Wake County area know, this award is one of the best honors local high school students in central and eastern North Carolina can receive. Howard’s selection as the first recipient ever for this award has been a source of pride for Apex High School for several decades.

Following his graduation from Apex, Howard chose to serve our country for over 20 years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at the following Army bases during his military career: Fort Lewis, Washington State; Elite Berlin Brigade and Berlin, Germany in 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell. He served as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; served as an Army Recruiter in Greenville, South Carolina; and finished his service time at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, where he retired with honors. His outstanding service to our country is reflective in his two Army Commendation medals, his four Army Achievement medals, his six Army Good Conduct medals, his Expert Infantry badge, the Meritorious Service medal and the Humanitarian Service medal that was awarded to him in 2003. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Howard completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Howard would like to dedicate this prestigious honor and achievement to his parents, the late Thomas and Edna Watson. He would also like to acknowledge Coach Bruce Worley, Coach John Griggs, his cousin Bernard Minter, all his Apex teammates he played with on the field and on the court, and every Apex fan who cheered him on. Above all, Howard gives honor and thanks to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gives him the ability to do all things through Christ who strengthens him.

EMIL WEISS

CLASS OF 2011

Emil Weiss is a 2011 graduate of Apex High School. As a freshman goalie on the 2008 Apex Lacrosse team, Emil was named the Defensive MVP of the state championship game, as Apex was defeated by an incredible team from Chapel Hill. In that state championship loss, he recorded 22 saves and handled the ball perfectly. He proved to be an incredibly effective leader on a team that had 18 seniors. His confidence and calm demeanor in the toughest of circumstances were evident as a freshman, and were characteristics and core traits that allowed him to flourish for all four years at Apex. Over the course of his career, Emil played in three state final fours, and in two championship games in 2008 and 2010. He was the only three-time captain in the history of the program. He was a two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-State selection, and was named State Player of the Year by the News and Observer in 2010. A dynamic player and athlete, it was common to see Emil take the ball he had just saved and sprint all the way down the field to score or assist a score.

In addition to Emil’s impact on the field, he set a tone off the field of leadership and service. Emil volunteered with local lacrosse teams and connected with the youth of Apex and the entire Western Wake region in a way that promoted the growth of lacrosse in our area, as well as increased Apex High School’s status as a lacrosse leader. After games, Emil often stopped to talk to young lacrosse players who wanted to speak to him. He was truly an ambassador for the game. Academically, Emil was a strong student at Apex High School and was a member of the National Honors Society. He also was enrolled in the Apex High School Academy of Information Technology program and as part of his internships, he utilized a state-of-the-art video editing program to help break down film for the team and coaches.

Emil was recruited by the University of Michigan to come in and be the first starting goalie in the history of the school’s brand-new program. As the starter and a leader on this young team, Emil had a 52% save percentage and is credited with the first win in the program’s history.

Emil will always be remembered as one of the best lacrosse players at any position that Apex has ever had. He led the program both on the field and off and elevated the team to new heights.

Emil would like to thank his family, coaches and teammates for all they contributed, and without whom he would not have had the success and opportunities lacrosse presented him—both on and off the field. Emil would like to specifically thank Coach John Hayden for the countless hours he spent developing him as a lacrosse player and young adult. Emil would like to leave everyone with the following message: “High School sports at Apex are one of my fondest memories. The time spent at school, in the locker room, at practice, or in games forever shaped who I have become. I cherish those memories greatly and encourage everyone to get involved with Apex sports in any way they can.”