Things fell apart over the next 500 meters, and by the 1,500 mark, Radcliffe was more than five seconds off the pace and sitting in fourth.

Michigan State won the race in a time of 6:56.90. Radcliffe placed fourth in a time of 7:03.97, seven seconds off the pace.

In the Petite Final on Sunday, the second varsity eight was once again looking strong through the first half of the course, sitting in second just a second off the pace. Once again the Black and White faltered in the next 500 meters and finished fourth in a time of 6:59.97. Princeton took the race in a time of 6:54.60.

The varsity four turned in Radcliffe’s top performance. The Black and White demolished the competition, winning its heat by more than nine seconds in a time of 8:04.69 and earning an automatic berth in the Grand Final.

In the Grand Final on Sunday, the varsity four appeared well on its way to posting Radcliffe’s best finish ever at a NCAA Championship. Through 1,500 meters, the Black and White were sitting in third and just a tenth of a second behind the Yale boat in second place.

However, the rest of the field overcame a tired Radcliffe team in the final 500 meters and the Black and White finished a disappointing sixth in a time of 7:49.43.

This year’s varsity four was just the fifth Radcliffe boat in history to make it through to the Grand Final of the NCAA Championship. The varsity four qualified in 1998 and 1999, placing fifth both times. That was the highest any Radcliffe boat has finished at NCAAs.