OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Alabama rowing closed out the Cardinal Invite Sunday, winning each of its final five races. The Crimson Tide's First Varsity 8+ highlighted the day, posting the fastest time of any V8+ crew of the day by three-tenths of a second.

"This weekend was about competing at a high level against teams that have the expectation of competing at the NCAA Championships," UA head coach Glenn Putyrae said. "To sweep a team ranked 16th in the preseason indicates we are on the right track."

In its final session of the weekend, the Tide squared off against Clemson and Indiana. Alabama's First Varsity 8+ started the sweep, rowing to a 5:42.461 finish – one second ahead of Indiana who came in at No. 16 in the 2019 CRCA/US Rowing Preseason Poll. The Tide's First Varsity 4+ (6:26.509), Third Varsity 8+ (6:04.817), Second Varsity 8+ (5:57.119) and Second Varsity 4+ (6:39.925) crews won their respective races to secure Alabama the sweep.

The performance also marks the first time in program history Alabama has swept a top-20 team.

"The 1V8+ was in a back-and-forth battle with Indiana for the first 1,000 meters and really executed well in the second half of the race," Putyrae said.

On its first day at the Invite, Alabama racked up four first-place finishes, two second-place finishes and four third-place finishes. The Tide's 1V4+ highlighted the day by posting the fastest overall time of the morning from a Varsity 4+ crew.

"It was a great morning for the Tide," Putyrae said. "We encouraged all of our crews to be more aggressive in the second half of the race and we were pleased with their execution."

The Tide will be back in Oak Ridge next weekend, facing the Tennessee Volunteers in a dual meet, before returning home March 30 for its Senior Day race on the Black Warrior River.

For the most up-to-date information on the team, follow Alabama rowing via AlabamaRow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.

CARDINAL INVITATIONAL – SUNDAY, MARCH 17 RACE RESULTS

First Varsity 8+

Alabama (5:42.461) Indiana (5:43.998) Clemson (5:52.682)

First Varsity 4+

Alabama (6:26.509) Indiana (6:34.406) Clemson (6:39.305)

Third Varsity 8+/Novice 8+

Alabama (6:04.817) Clemson (6:21.854) Indiana (6:32.593)

Second Varsity 8+

Alabama (5:57.119) Indiana (6:00.652) Clemson (6:02.650)

Second Varsity 4+