“It’s all about getting to NCAAs,” co-captain Mayme Hostetter said. “We’re really excited to seek vengeance for our close losses. People aren’t nervous, they’re hungry.”

With this year’s appearance in NCAAs, senior coxswain Mary Piscitello will become the first Radcliffe competitor to take part in four straight NCAA Championships. In addition, freshman stroke Caryn Davies will become Radcliffe’s second freshman rower to row in the varsity boat at NCAAs.

The outstanding performances of the other boats have aided Radcliffe in its quest for an NCAA berth and high Eastern finishes.

“The rest of the team has been fabulous [all season],” Hostetter said.

Radcliffe’s second varsity boat finished in second place in yesterday’s morning heat, sending it to its first NCAA Grand Final.

The Black and White held the lead for the first half of the race, but Michigan walked through the Radcliffe boat at the 1000-meter mark to take the advantage. The Wolverines finished in first with a time of 6:39.3, besting Radcliffe’s 6:44.1 and giving both crews automatic spots in the Grand Final. Radcliffe just nudged out Ohio State’s time of 6:44.9.

The Black and White second boat is well-positioned for a high finish in the Grand Final, having posted a 10-1 record and winning second place at Sprints.

Meanwhile, in the varsity four’s morning heat yesterday, Radcliffe rowed with Michigan and Iowa for the first part of the race, but Virginia and California walked through the Black and White boat to send it into fifth place. Radcliffe finished with a time of 7:52.8 and first-place Michigan finished with a time of 7:31.3.