The Radcliffe heavyweight crew has sent three boats to compete in the fifth annual NCAA Championships at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga., this weekend.

After the first day of racing, all three boats are still in the running for a high finish, although they have taken different paths so far.

The Black and White finished fifth in the morning heat, sending it to the repechage.

In the morning race yesterday, No. 2 Michigan, No. 5 Syracuse and No. 13 California took early leads and Radcliffe was a half-length behind California at the 500-meter mark.

A final sprint by B.U. allowed the Terriers to edge the Black and White’s time of 6:40.5 by half a second to claim fourth place.

Michigan and Syracuse advanced to the semi-finals with their top times of 6:28.1 and 6:31.2.

In the repechage, Ohio, California, and Virginia took leads at the start, with Radcliffe in fourth place at the 500-meter mark. But the Black and White battled back, closing in on Virginia to set up a final sprint that launched Radcliffe into third place. The Black and White earned a spot in the semi-finals with a time of 7:20.70.

Ohio and California finished first and second respectively.