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.