SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- The Lindsey Wilson College women's golf team opens the 2008 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships today at Lake San Marcos Golf and Country Club.

The Blue Raiders begin the first round at 10:20 a.m. CT.

Lindsey Wilson finished runner-up last season to three-time defending champion and No. 1 ranked Oklahoma City University.

Lindsey Wilson plays the opening two rounds with Berry (Ga.) College and University of Victoria (B.C.). The Blue Raiders' second round begins at 2:50 p.m. CT on Wednesday.

On Monday, Lindsey Wilson sophomore Jessica Smith won the annual long drive competition.

Smith, a Louisville, Ky., native, qualified during the official practice round with a drive of 291 yards. Following the practice rounds, the top five drives -- that includes distance and accuracy as the ball had to remain in the fairway -- moved into the finals.

Smith hit the second of her three drives 292 yards to win the long drive competition. Shorter (Ga.) College's Daniela Vargas finished second with a drive of 264 yards.

On Monday night, Lindsey Wilson seniors Beth Cooper and Jessica Robertson and junior Aline Decker were recognized at the championships banquet for being named NAIA Scholar-Athlete All-American.

The trio met the criteria of junior or senior standing and a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Cooper was also named Lindsey Wilson's Champion of Character representative.