Like the Radcliffe eight, the four stumbled off the line and was forced to play catch-up for the entire Grand Finals. Although Princeton’s A boat was far in front, the team again put on a strong sprint, passing the Tigers’ B boat and nearly catching third-place finisher URI.

Radcliffe’s other four finished in sixth place—in the varsity four event. Forced to race up against the heavyweights from Kansas, Vermont and Johns Hopkins, amongst others, the quartet qualified for the Grand Finals and went on to post a time of 8:24.7. Although that left the Black and White in sixth place, the fact that it came against bigger, stronger rowers meant something not only to those in the boat, but also to the rest of the team.

“We were impressed that we were able to advance to the Grand Finals in the heavyweight event,” junior Elizabeth Tisei said. “It was exciting to be competitive with varsity heavyweights from other teams.”

“[That sixth place] is a phenomenal accomplishment given that we had a lightweight four racing in a heavyweight four event,” Hertz agreed.

—Staff writer Timothy M. McDonald can be reached at tmcdonal@fas.harvard.edu.