WICHITA FALLS, Texas  -- Washburn's Zach Watkins was named the All-Super Region 4 Daktronics Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of the region's sports information directors from the MIAA, Lone Star and Heartland Conferences. Watkins was named the MIAA's Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches at the conclusion of the regular season. Eric Lawrence earned second team all-region honors.

In addition to being named the region's most valuable defensive player, Watkins earned first team linebacker honors as well. Watkins, who finished his career with a school record 470 total tackles was named the joined Trey Lewis (2006) as the only Ichabods to receive the league's top defensive honor. Watkins led the MIAA in tackles with 108 and a 9.8 tackles per game average was also named to the MIAA's first team defensive unit for the third time in his career.

Lawrence received second team all-region honors at defensive end after finishing fourth in the MIAA in sacks with his 6.5 stops and his 13.5 tackles for loss was third in the conference as he finished with 49 overall tackles with 26 solo stops.

Watkins will now advance on to the national ballot.