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From the time he took over as the head coach at his alma mater, Howell has reached unprecedented heights and become one of New Jersey’s best wrestling programs. Now, John Gagliano has reached a milestone no other area coach has achieved.
With the Rebels’ 69-9 victory over Piscataway on Tuesday, Gagliano became the first wrestling coach in Shore Conference history to reach 500 career wins. In 24 seasons leading Howell, Gagliano has a career record of 500-79.
Gagliano was a district and region champion for Howell during the mid-1980s when Howell was a good program but nowhere near the juggernaut it is today. Before Gagliano took over as the head coach, Howell had won six division titles and six district titles while having 60 wrestlers win district titles, 16 claim region championships and 12 wrestlers take home state medals - including 1965 state champion Carlos Fontanez - between 1965 and 1997.
Howell High School wrestlers primed for postseason action
Howell High School wrestlers primed for postseason action ×
Howell High School 126-pounder Nieko Malone celebrates picking up his 100th career victory during a match against Long Branch High School on March 16 in Howell. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
A three-month wait to start the 2021 season may have been tough, but Howell High School wrestling coach John Gagliano knew administrators at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association made the right decision to wait until March to allow wrestlers to hit the mats in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School wrestler Max Brignola scores a takedown during his match at the NJSIAA Region 5 Tournament last year. STEVEN BASSIN/STAFF
There may not be any team championships up for grabs during the abbreviated 2021 wrestling season, but that fact is not deterring Coach Bryan Heller and his Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School grapplers from wanting to achieve excellence as a team and as individuals.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the Bulldogs are focused on reaching the top Shore Conference postseason pod during the final week of the regular season and proving they are the best team in the conference before seeking individual success at the regional and the state tournaments.
Thomson surpasses 1,000-point mark during junior campaign with Red Raiders ×
Keyport High School boys basketball DJ Thomson celebrates reaching 1,000 career points with his parents and coaches during a game played against Koinonia on Feb. 22 in Keyport. PHOTO COURTESY OF KEYPORT HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
KEYPORT – D.J. Thomson is writing his own story on the basketball court at Keyport High School and continuing the success his brothers Alex, Connor and Bryan had before him when they played for the Red Raiders.
All three of Thomson’s older brothers went on to play college football. They also played basketball during their scholastic days at Keyport.
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Saint John Vianney High School girls basketball player Madison St. Rose dribbles the ball at the top of the key during the Shore Conference Pod A championship game against Red Bank Catholic on March 6 in Holmdel. St. Rose scored a game-high 20 points in the team s 61-34 victory over Red Bank Catholic.STEVEN BASSIN/STAFF
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Saint John Vianney High School girls basketball player Emma Bruen looks to drive to the basket during the Shore Conference Pod A championship against Red Bank Catholic on March 6 in Holmdel. The Lancers capped off their perfect 14-0 season with a 61-34 victory over Red Bank Catholic. STEVEN BASSIN/STAFF