We've seen the double serial numbers before. The frame was contract manufactured then shipped to Kent. Other samples show paint fill in the Kent number, so it appears that Kent painted , decaled and assembled the bicycles. The frame was stamped by Kent on day 354 of 1994, which should make it a 1995 model. Decal matches my literature in that the CrMO tubing is unidentified and thee's no mention of butting. The lack of butting isn't surprising given the $320 US MSRP.
Don't restrict your self to 9 speed wheels. 9 speed cassettes will fit on 8 speed freehubs, as the cassette is only ~1mm wider.