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The win was Wallace's last opportunity to take the prize in his hometown tournament because he is a senior. In addition to the title, the 17-year-old won the tournament's prestigious Most Valuable Wrestler award.
It's the first time in recent memory that a New Rochelle student has won the title, said Steve Young, NRHS's director of athletics.
"It's been my goal to win this tournament since I was an eighth-grader," Wallace told The Journal News after his 6-2 decision over Krug in the finals. "I remember telling my coach (Eddie Ortiz), 'I'm going to win the Shoreline,' and he was like, 'It's easier said than done.' It was important to me to win my hometown tournament."
Named 53 years ago for two former NRHS wrestling coaches, the tournament is an invitational that attracts high school wrestlers from throughout the Northeast.
Wallace began wrestling in seventh grade and has excelled in the sport. As a senior, his record has been 20-0. Eighteen of those wins have come from pins, said Young.
Wallace is also on the honor roll and takes special interest in politics and history. He hopes to attend the University of Maryland to study business or politics, and wrestle in the Big Ten Conference.
Wallace recently competed at the Eastern States Classic, which brought together 157 teams from Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and California. He lost in the championship round to Ballston Spa's Tyler Barnes in the 170-pound weight class.
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