When the gun went off on the first day of the state track and field championships in May, Oakville High School freshman-to-be Cecil Gumaelius donned a red jersey in the Class 1B 3,200-meter run.
It did not read Oakville. Rather, it was three letters: ONR.
North River combined with Oakville in the spring that unofficially springboarded into an official partnership between the two school districts.
Over the next four years under the new classification arrangements, Oakville and North River will fully combine for all sports in high school and middle school, per athletic director Christina Mootz.
The WIAA has the combine listed as Oakville-North River, or ONR for short, while maintaining the nickname of Acorns. They will remain in the 1B coastal league.
“Names have power and we feel like in order to fully honor our student-athletes and communities, making sure both schools are represented is important,” Mootz said in an email to The Chronicle. “Proximity has led our communities to be intertwined socially and now, we have a stronger tie.”
Mootz stated the two schools were members of the original 1B coastal league. Now, they will join forces for the next handful of seasons.
ONR already heads into the 2024-25 year with a state champion as Lewis Koser claimed the 1B discus title with a toss of 136 feet, 7 inches.
“Although our North River numbers may be small currently, our hope is to continue to honor and grow the combine,” Mootz said. “Allow more opportunities for all students.”
