Barring an unforeseen phenomenon, the sixth-ranked Michigan rowing team will not qualify for the NCAA Championships in two weeks.

Michigan finished seventh with 306 points in a disappointing end to the season at the Central/South Region Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

In order to get a bid to nationals, it's imperative that the team qualifies two of its three boats in the 'A' final on day one. Michigan's top three boats - first eight, second eight, and first four - failed to reach that mark and raced in the 'B' final.

The first varsity eight was down to Tennessee and Central Florida early in the semifinal. But as Michigan crossed the 500-meter mark, the team found itself in last place. The Wolverines finished in fifth place, more than eight seconds behind first place Minnesota and all but out of luck for an NCAA Championships bid.

With Melton Hill Lake being unfriendly to the Wolverines during day one, the team tried to make good use of day two.

"We raced really hard in the last races that we had," senior Emily Shea said. "We raced for pride."

But the emotional satisfaction didn't take away the unfulfilling results.

In the final team standings, Michigan finished seventh, behind No. 12 Ohio State, who took first in the Central Region, and No. 5 Virginia who won both the South Region and overall championship.

The Wolverines' first varsity eight took sixth place yesterday, as did the first varsity four. The second varsity eight finished fourth.

Shea was asked about an at-large bid to the championships that will also take place in Oak Ridge.

"That would be more like a miracle than anything," she said. "We're more looking towards next year."

If there is no magic worked before Tuesday's NCAA Championship pairings, Michigan has plenty of reason to be excited for next season. The Wolverines graduate just five seniors. Even better, they will get back rising star Adrienne Mecham, who was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the seven Big Ten head coaches.

For a team that hasn't reached the NCAA Championships since the 2004-2005 season, next year's squad has a fine chance to make it back to the promised land.