ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Central Washington University senior linebacker Kevin Haynes was named the 2017 Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year, joining seven teammates who were all named to the D2CCA All-Region team.
 
Haynes finished 2017 with an even 100 tackles, just five short of becoming the Wildcats all-time leader in total tackles.  In the Wildcats final game of the season, Haynes led all players with 16 tackles.
 
For the season, Haynes had 13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception while leading the CWU defense to a national rank of 4^th, and the best rush and sack defense in the nation.
 
Haynes, who was also named a first-team D2CCA regional linebacker, will move on to a national ballot for Defensive Player of the Year and All-American.  He was also a first-team linebacker a year ago on his way to a third-team all-America selection.
 
"Kevin is the best football player I have ever coached," CWU Defensive Coordinator Scott Power said.  "He deserves every award that comes his way this season.  Kevin, and the rest of his teammates had an unbelievable year that ended earlier than desired.  I know this award won't change the way he feels at the moment, but it helps remind us of the greatness he and his teammates achieved this season."
 
Joining #44 on the D2CCA first team are cornerback Tyler Hasty, tight end Kyle Self, offensive lineman James Moore and Nicholas Streubel, and defensive lineman Bo Banner.
 
Fellow defensive lineman Billy Greer got a second-team all-region nod alongside safety Jackson Huerta.
 
This is Moore's second all-region selection, after being named to the second team last season, while everyone else joins the team for the first time in their careers.
 
The D2CCA All-Region team, formerly known as Daktronics, is voted on by sports information directors from each of the schools in the region.  The Wildcats seven selections is the most in the history of the program beating out the 2008 team that garnered six players on the team.
 
All five of CWU's first-team selections will move forward on a national ballot to crown this season's D2CCA All-Americans.