| Overall Record: 20-2 | Division Record: 4-0 |
| 2026 Season Recap |
| TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Record: 20-2 (4-0) |
| #10 in NJWWA Top 20 |
| #3 in Shore Conference Top 11 |
| #2 in Monmouth County |
| SJG5 Semifinalists |
| 1 State Champion / 3 Medalists |
| 1 Region Champion / 7 Medalists |
| 8 District Champions / 11 Medalists |
| District 22 Champions |
| Shore Conference Tournament Champions (2 Champs / 9 Medalists) |
| B-Division Champions |
| STATE QUALIFIERS |
| 106: (Fr) Justin Jani (WB2) |
| 120: (Jr) Shane Maghan (WB3) |
| 126: (Fr) Sean Elliott (7th Place) |
| 150: (Fr) Brady Little (WB2) |
| 175: (Jr) Tyler Going (8th Place) |
| 190: (So) Timmy O'Rourke (WB2) |
| 215: (Jr) Tanner Hodgins (1st Place) |
| MILESTONES & ACHIEVEMENTS |
| 8 District Champions (Tied Program Record) |
| 9 Shore Conference Tournament Medalists (Program Record) |
| Head Coach John Gagliano - Recorded 600th Career Victory (604 to Finish Season - Shore Conference Record) - Has Now Coached 110 Individual District Champs (New Shore Conference Record) |
| Tanner Hodgins - 114 Career Wins (Currently 12th Place at Howell) - 42 Season Wins (Ties Program Record) |
| SHORECONFERENCEWRESTLING.com WRESTLER OF THE YEAR |
| (Jr) Tanner Hodgins - 215 - Record: 42-2 - Ranked #1 in Shore Conference - NJSIAA State Champion - Region 6 Champion - District 22 Champion - Shore Conference Tournament Champion - 2nd Place Escape The Rock - 3rd Place Beast of the East |
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| NJSIAA TOURNAMENT |
| Howell: 1 Champ / 3 Medal Winners |
| State Champion: Tanner Hodgins (215) 7th: Sean Elliott (126) 8th: Tyler Going (175) WB3: Shane Maghan (120) WB2: Justin Jani (106) / Brady Little (150) / Timmy O'Rourke (190) |
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Hodgins: 6th State Champion in program history; 1st since Hunter Mays (2022); 3rd State medal (2024-6th / 2025-3rd) Elliott: Came from the #24 seed to place 7th; 4th freshman all-time to win a State medal for Howell (Tanner Hodgins, Sebastian Ortega, Zac Cunliffe) Going: 1st State medal for Going 3 State medals for Howell is most in a season since 4 in 2021 (Hunter Mays, Sebastian Ortega, Paul Jakob, Nieko Malone) Howell now has the 4th most State medal winners in the Shore Conference, and 2nd most in Monmouth County Howell's 6 State champions is tied for 7th most in the Shore Conference and 3rd most in Monmouth County |
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| REGION 6 TOURNAMENT |
| Howell: 1 Champ / 7 Medal Winners |
| 1st: Tanner Hodgins (215) 2nd: Sean Elliott (126) / Brady Little (150) / Tyler Going (175) / Timmy O'Rourke (190) 4th: Justin Jani (106) / Shane Maghan (120) 5th: Ray Purrelli (165) 6th: Luke Johnston (113) WB1: Will Stapleton (132) PQ: Trevor Hodgins (138) |
| Hodgins is Howell's first Region champion since Xavier Ortega and DJ Henry won titles in 2023. It is his third medal. This is the 27th Region champion under head coach John Gagliano. The third most under active head coaches in the Shore Conference. Seven medal winners is the most for Howell since sending eight to the podium in 2022. It's the 11th consecutive season with at least five medalists for Howell. Rebels had three freshmen medal winners. It's the third consecutive season with at least one freshman medalist. All seven medal winners return for the Rebels next season. |
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| DISTRICT 22 TOURNAMENT |
| Howell: 1st Place / 8 Champions / 11 Medal Winners |
| 1st: Justin Jani (106) / Luke Johnston (113) / Sean Elliott (126) / Will Stapleton (132) / Brady Little (150) / Tyler Going (175) / Tim O'Rourke (190) / Tanner Hodgins (215) 2nd: Shane Maghan (120) / Ray Purrelli (165) 3rd: Trevor Hodgins (138) |
| The Rebels matched their program best with 8 champions. It brings their all-time total to 174, 3rd most in the Shore Conference, and the most in Monmouth County. The 8 champions gives head coach John Gagliano 110 champions, breaking the Shore Conference record for most champions coached that was held by legendary Brick Memorial coach, Tony Caravella. They won their 5th consecutive team title, which is tied for the longest current streak with CBA. It is their 18th team title overall, 5th most in the Shore, and 2nd best in Monmouth County. Juniors Luke Johnston & Tanner Hodgins each one their 3rd titles. They are the 10th & 11th Rebels with 3 titles. Tyler Going & Tim O'Rourke won their 2nd titles. Ray Purrelli & Shane Maghan won their 3rd medals. Justin Jani, Sean Elliott, and Brady Little's titles give the Rebels multiple freshmen champs for the 2nd time in 3 years. |
SJG5 STATE SECTIONALS
QF: #1 Howell 56 - #8 Eastern 23 (BOX SCORE)
SF: #4 Southern 33 - #1 Howell 26 (BOX SCORE)
2/7: BORDENTOWN TRI
#3 Howell 67 - Bordentown 11 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 63 - Manalapan 18 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Tanner Hodgins - Career Win #100
2/6: NON-CONFERENCE
#3 Howell 55 - Old Bridge 15 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Elliott, Tr Hodgins, & T Going pin; Jani & Johnston tech
2/3: B-DIVISION
#3 Howell 46 - #7 Middletown North 24 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: B-Division Champions; 26th Division Title; 600th career win for head coach John Gagliano
Midd North: T Blewett (28-0); R Blewett (20-1); Fearon (24-4); Oden (20-9); Cordova (19-7)
1/31: PASCACK VALLEY TRI
#3 Howell 39 - Pascack Valley 33 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 49 - West Morris Central 20 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Jani (walk-off pin vs PV) & Going +12; Elliott & Johnston +11
1/28: B-DIVISION
#3 Howell 41 - #4 Jackson Twp 27 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Hodgins, O'Rourke, Going, Elliott, Johnston, & Jani with bonus wins
Jackson: Armani McCann - 100th Career Win; A Nazurdinov & T Pazinko pin
1/24: SHORE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Howell - 1st Place
1st: Tanner Hodgins (190) / Tim O'Rourke (215)
2nd: Luke Johnston (120) / Shane Maghan (132) / Brady Little (157) / Tyler Going (175)
3rd: Sean Elliott (126)
4th: Justin Jani (106) / Ray Purrelli (165)
Tanner Hodgins won his 2nd title, and his 3rd medal overall, and Tim O'Rourke won his 1st championship, and 2nd medal, as part of a program-record 9 medal winners overall that led the Rebels to their 3rd SCT Team Title under the individual format. All 9 entrants for the Rebels placed in the top 4.
Including the team tournament titles won in 2014 & 2017, and the Rebels are now 5-time Shore Conference Tournament Champions.
1/21: B-DIVISION
#3 Howell 56 - Wall 16 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Hodgins, O'Rourke, & Lisan win by pin; 6 Rebels tech
Wall: Boulard (21-2); O Carrillo-Solano (17-4); Clauburg (16-7)
1/17: ESCAPE THE ROCK
2nd: Tanner Hodgins (189)
1/10: HOWELL QUAD
#3 Howell 67 - Hightstown 9 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 45 - Monroe 21 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 56 - Rahway 16 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Johnston, Elliott, Stapleton, Little, T Going, & O'Rourke each with 3 bonus wins
1/7: B-DIVISION
#3 Howell 49 - Ocean Twp 29 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Hodgins (11-1); Purrelli (11-1); T Going (10-0); Elliott (11-3)
Ocean: D Volek (12-1); Perez (10-2); J Volek (9-2); Calixte (9-4)
1/5: NON-CONFERENCE
#3 Howell 46 - Phillipsburg 29 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Going, Hodgins, & Johnston pin; Purrelli, O'Rourke, Jani, & Elliot with techs; Maghan & Little major as all 9 Rebel wins come with bonus
1/3: BORESCH DUALS
#3 Howell 71 - Newton 6 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 39 - North Hunterdon 29 (BOX SCORE)
Delsea 34 - #3 Howell 29 (BOX SCORE)
12/30: HOWELL QUAD
#3 Howell 76 - Freehold Twp 6 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 56 - Williamstown 15 (BOX SCORE)
#3 Howell 73 - North Brunswick 6 (BOX SCORE)
12/23: NON-CONFERENCE
Howell 61 - Westfield 15 (BOX SCORE)
Howell: Purrelli, T Going, Del Prete, Tr Hodgins, & R Going win by pin; Johnston techs; Jani & Maghan major
12/21: BEAST OF THE EAST
3rd: Tanner Hodgins (190)
7th: Sean Elliott (126)
12/13: JOHN & BETTY VOGEDING TOURNAMENT
HOWELL TOP 3
1st: Maghan (132) / Hodgins (138) / Purrelli (165) / Going (175)
2nd: Jani (106) / DelPrete (215) / Willey (Hwt)
3rd: Lisan (150) / Deegan (Hwt)
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Howell High School 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Rd. Farmingdale, NJ 07727 (732) 919-2131 Mascot: Rebels / Colors: Navy & Gray / Program Established: 1965 Head Coach: John Gagliano (29th Season in 2026) Assistants: Section: SJG5 / Division: B-Division / District: 22 / Region: 6  / 
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2026 Howell Rebels
Head Coach: John Gagliano (29th Season in 2026 / 584-99)
Assistants: Pat Trabucco / Nick Farrar / Walter Bayne (Girls Coach)
Volunteers: Kyle Slendorn / Willie Scott / Kyle Cocozza / Anthony Gagliano / Sean Silverstein / Joe Falco / Zach Bohm / Rich Famularo / Mike Verrochi / Jason Brandl
Section: SJG5 / Division: B-Division / District: 22 / Region: 6
With a large group from last season's team returning, and a very talented freshmen class, the Rebels look like they have the pieces to once again be among the top publics in NJ.
Led by junior Tanner Hodgins, a 2-time State medalist, the upperweights look like they could be a real force for Howell. Hodgins, who recently committed to Oklahoma State, is joined by returning State qualifiers Tyler Going, a junior, and sophomore Timmy O'Rourke. The trio, who were all District Champs last season, are the backbone of the group. They're joined by returning starters Ray Purrelli, who was a win away from Atlantic City last season, Johnny Hurst, who was 4th at Districts, and Julian Del Prete, who was 13-8 for the Rebels and provided a valuable piece that allowed the Rebels to make lineup moves up top.
Down low, junior Luke Johnston returns after a sophomore season in which he led the team in wins with 38, on his way to placing 6th in Atlantic City. He's part of an upperclassmen group that includes junior Shane Maghan, who advanced to AC after taking 3rd at Regions, and seniors Stelian Lisan and Will Stapleton, that can provide veteran leadership to the young talent that looks to make an immediate impact in the lineup. Among them are freshmen Justin Jani, an Intermediate State Champ, and Sean Elliot, who was not only also an Intermediate State Champ, but he won the 119-pound bracket at the NHSCA Middle School Nationals, and placed 3rd at the Super 32.
There are some promising freshmen in the middle, as well, in Ryan Going, Trevor Hodgins (who better get used to me calling him Tanner for the next 4 years), and Brad Little. Little was also an Intermediate Champ, and placed the 3rd at the NHSCA Nationals.
Overall, this looks like it has the potential to be a real return to form team for the Rebels who could very well be in the mix as one of the top public school programs in the state this year.
Possible Lineup in 2026
| Wgt | Wrestler | Record | Post Season |
| 106 | (Sr) James Blewett | 0-4 | |
| 106 | (Fr) Justin Jani | ||
| 113 | (So) Ben Normandia | 9-8 | |
| 120 | (Jr) Luke Johnston | 38-8 | D-1st / R-3rd / NJ-6th |
| 126 | (Fr) Sean Elliott | ||
| 132 | (Jr) Shane Maghan | 28-12 | D-2nd / R-3rd / NJ-WB1 |
| 132 | (Sr) Alex Kuruzian | 0-3 | |
| 138 | (Sr) Will Stapleton | 17-17 | D-4th |
| 138 | (Jr) Ryan Rivera | 4-13 | |
| 138 | (Fr) Ryan Going | ||
| 144 | (Sr) Stelian Lisan | 7-17 | |
| 144 | (Fr) Trevor Hodgins | ||
| 150 | (Jr) Anthony Pesina | 3-12 | |
| 150 | (Fr) Brady Little | ||
| 157 | (Sr) Johnny Hurst | 16-16 | D-4th |
| 165 | (Sr) Ray Purrelli | 23-11 | D-3rd / R-5th |
| 165 | (Jr) Dylan Morano | 1-3 | |
| 175 | (Jr) Tyler Going | 31-11 | D-1st / R-4th / NJ-WB2 |
| 190 | (Jr) Tanner Hodgins | 37-8 | D-1st / R-2nd / NJ-3rd |
| 190 | (Jr) Julian Del Prete | 13-8 | |
| 215 | (So) Timmy O'Rourke | 36-7 | D-1st / R-4th / NJ-WB2 |
| Hwt | (Jr) Lucas Willey | 0-3 |
Graduated in 2026
| Wgt | Wrestler | Record | Post Season |
| 138 | Xavier Ortega | 20-0 | |
| 157 | Devin Perez | 12-16 | D-4th |
| 175 | Jesse Nwajei | 1-2 | |
| 190 | Travis Edmonds | 1-1 | |
| 190 | Stephen Whesper | 0-3 | |
| Hwt | Luke Khabuliani | 21-10 | D-2nd / R-6th |
| Hwt | Preston Piasecki | 1-3 |
| Head Coach |
| John Gagliano |
| 2 - Group Titles |
| Last: Group 5 (2018) |
| 6 - Sectional Titles |
| Last: CJG5 (2023) |
| 18 - District Team Titles |
| Last: D22 (2026) |
| 5 - SCT Titles |
| Last: 2026 |
| 26 - Division Titles |
| Last: B-Division (2026) |
| 6 - State Champions |
| Last: Tanner Hodgins (2026) |
| 42 - State Medalists |
| Last: Tanner Hodgins / Tyler Going / Sean Elliott (2026) |
| 44 - Region Champions |
| Last: Tanner Hodgins (2026) |
| 174 - District Champions |
| Last: 8 in 2026 |
| 13 - SCT Champions |
| Last: Tanner Hodgins / Tim O'Rourke (2026) |
| 41 - SCT Medalists |
| Last: 9 Medalists (2026) |
| Season Wins Record - 42 |
| Joey Langel & Harry Turner (2008) Kyle Slendorn & Eric Keosseian (2017) Kyle Slendorn (2018) Shane Reitsma (2019) Shane Reitsma (2020) Tanner Hodgins (2026) |
| 100 Career Wins |
| Shane Reitsma | 165 |
| Kyle Slendorn | 158 |
| Darby Diedrich | 156 |
| Zac Cunliffe | 138 |
| Joey Langel | 128 |
| Christian Murphy | 128 |
| Anthony Gagliano | 121 |
| Xavier Ortega | 121 |
| Cody Fobes | 119 |
| Joey Schultz | 117 |
| Mike Shaughnessy | 115 |
| Tanner Hodgins | 114 |
| Kris Lindemann | 113 |
| Jimmy Slendorn | 112 |
| Ben Esposito | 111 |
| Daniel Esposito | 110 |
| Paul Jakub | 107 |
| Billy Woodward | 101 |
| Jason Ecklof | 101 |
| Tom Tuminelli | 100 |
| 100 Career Wins |
| Eric Keosseian - Squan | 133 |
| Neiko Malone - RV | 108 |
Squan = Manasquan
RV = Rancocas Valley