CEDAR FALLS -- Christmas came early for Brad Penrith when the NCAA granted Alex Dolly a sixth year of eligibility Wednesday.

Dolly, a three-time NCAA qualifier who twice advanced to the round of 12, has 60 career victories despite battling numerous injuries.

He was 19-12 last year, winning three matches at the NCAA tournament and falling one match short of earning all-American status.

Dolly, a native of Mishawaka, Ind., will fill the Panthers' vacant 184-pound slot, after wrestling the past two seasons at 174.

Dolly will probably make his 2008-09 debut at the Midlands Championships later this month.

"We're not going to sacrifice him because we want to win a dual," UNI head coach Brad Penrith answered when asked about wrestling Dolly Saturday against Wisconsin.

"We're going to do the right thing, get his weight under control, get him in better shape then bring him out and introduce him at the Midlands."

Dolly redshirted in 2003-04, and then qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2005 before missing all of the 05-06 season when he suffered a season-ending neck injury during the preseason.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com

Dick Walker Invite set

WAVERLY ï½ A top-notch field will compete at the 36th Dick Walker Invitational Saturday at the Wartburg-Waverly Sports and Wellness Center.

Six teams ranked in the current NWCA Division III top 25 are entered, including the host and top-ranked Wartburg Knights.

Second-ranked Coe, fourth-ranked North Central, seventh-ranked Augsburg, ninth-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater and 11th-ranked Cornell all will enter individiuals.

Additionally, Division II Central Missouri State and two of the top NJCAA teams in the nation ï½ second-ranked Iowa Central and fifth-ranked North Iowa Area Community College are also entered.

Action gets underway at 9 a.m.

Hall to honor Yagla

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame's 2009 induction class will have a Cedar Valley flavor. Waterloo resident Chuck Yagla is set for enshrinement, and will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement for Officials award.

Yagla, who called the news a "great honor" Thursday, will be enshrined at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Museum in Stillwater, Okla., on a date yet to be determined.