Alabama’s rowing team made history last year when it received votes to be ranked in the top-20 for the first time in school history.

This week, the Crimson Tide didn’t just receive votes to be among the nation’s elite programs, it was ranked inside the top-20 for the first time in program history, coming in at No. 18 in the US Rowing/CRCA week-one poll.

“It’s flattering to be recognized by the pollsters of the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association for our results to date,” coach Glenn Putyrae said in a press release. “It’s important to remember that it is very early in the season and several good teams have yet to compete.”

The Crimson Tide’s top-20 ranking comes after it swept Clemson and Indiana at the Cardinal Invite in Oakridge, Tennessee. It was Alabama’s first ever sweep of a top-20 team.

“This is such a huge accomplishment for our team and university,” senior Rachel Sowell said in a press release. “This is a perfect reflection of all the hard work and determination our team and coaching staff have put in throughout the year to achieve the goals we have set for our season and our program, as a whole. Now we have to keep pushing forward with our training and continue to gain speed in order to be successful in the upcoming weeks.”

The Tide will look to continue to build upon its success when it faces Tennessee this weekend.

“What we have to do as a team is continue to improve and focus on getting better each day,” Putyrae said. “If we are successful in doing that, we know that the results will continue to be positive.”