LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky track and field athletes do not stop competing when the season ends. Their dedication to the sport sometimes even extends past graduation and into a professional career. Two UK track and field alumni and one freshman did just that as they competed at the Music City Distance Carnival on June 4, in Nashville, Tenn.

Freshman Stephan Smith ran the 800 meters in the carnival, recording a career-best time of 1:49.56. The Tallahassee, Fla., native used the race a preparation for the Junior National Championships that will be held in Los Angeles, Calif., June 23-26.

Two Kentucky alumni also ran well in the Music City, as Hunter Spencer and Thomas Morgan both finished strong in the men?s mile. Spencer finished with a time of 4:01.81, while Morgan was just behind Spencer, crossing the finish line with a time of 4:01.90.

Morgan has been competing since graduating from UK in 2004 and recorded a personal-best time in the 5,000 meters at the Payton Jordan US Open that was held at Stanford University. Morgan?s time of 13:42.98 is just one addition to a long running resume that he accrued while at UK.

Morgan, Spencer and current UK senior Jeff Chakouian are slated to compete at the Senior US Championships in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 23-26.