KENT, Ohio -  Thursday, April 7, 2011, will be declared “Dustin Kilgore Day” according to the city of Kent.  

An official proclamation will be presented to the Kent State junior by Mayor Jerry Fiala Thursday morning at the Bowman Breakfast, held inside the KSU Student Center.

The Berea, Ohio native was recently named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Year after becoming the first wrestler in Kent State history to win an NCAA title.   The 197-pound champion was also the first MAC wrestler since 1999 to win a national title.

During the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia, Kilgore broke program records for career victories (135) and wins in a single season (38).  He also earned his third consecutive MAC title and became just the second two-time All-American in school history.

The Bowman Breakfast, a tradition since 1963, is sponsored by Kent State University and the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.

Kilgore is entered to compete at the 2011 U.S. Open Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio this weekend. He received the No. 8 seed at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.