This post was written by contributing sports editor Sean Hurd.

The men’s water polo team vaulted into the NCAA top 20 for water polo this week for the first time in five years, landing in the No. 19 slot.

The national nod comes after GW knocked off then-No. 18 Bucknell last week and defeated southern division foe Navy. The team hosts No. 20 Johns Hopkins at 7 p.m.

It’s the first time Colonials have cracked the Top 20 since 2008, when they stood at No. 18. They are one of five CWPA teams in the Top 20, with Princeton, Saint Francis (N.Y.), Brown and Johns Hopkins also getting recognition.

For the third straight week, a men’s water polo player was recognized by the College Water Polo Association Southern Division as the conference’s best performer. Senior Daniel Tyner took home the co-player of the week honor this time – his second of the season – after playing an instrumental role in the three games last week for the Colonials, who finished with a 2-1 record.

Tyner, who shares this week’s award with Johns Hopkins’ Thomas de Lyon, totaled 16 points on nine goals and seven assists, along with five steals. His contributions were vital in the Colonials one-point victories over Navy and No. 18 Bucknell.