So I'd have two practices." "He had to be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up here?' In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. I screwed up.. to know what it feels like to be We were going in the right direction with our training they just started believing in whatever I was saying. The chief said Diaz and the drug trafficker, Guillermo Magallanes, had known each other for quite some time and that Magallanes had been working as a BPD informant. Jose Cardenas, McFarland's expected No. Buy images; Sell images; Additionally, Diaz admitted to stealing nine pounds of methamphetamine, which he and his former partner, Patrick Mara, then sold for personal gain, prosecutors said. "You saw the hills at the end of the movie.". He recently retired as a California State Correctional officer supervising adult males. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. Yes. White taught fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and woodshop. After sentencing, Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno. Retired from law enforcement. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". His team's won nine CIF-State cross country titles, five in a row between 1992-96 and three in a row between 1999-01. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. IMDb's Most Anticipated New TV Series of 2023. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. [10][11] The film was released in Canada under its original title, McFarland. Oct. 5, 2016 7:45 AM PT A former Bakersfield Police Department detective and member of the famed McFarland High School cross-country team depicted in the Disney film "McFarland, USA" was. If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Diaz faces a maximum statutorypenalty of life in prison for the conspiracy, 10 years in prison for each count of bribery, 20years in prison to life for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, fiveyears in prison for each count of intentional disclosure of wiretap information, and threeyears in prison for each count of making a false income tax return. ", "Thomas he made a big impact on our life," White said. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law, said Phillip A. Talbert, the acting U.S. attorney for Californias eastern district. I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. McFarland, USA (also known as McFarland) is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Niki Caro, produced by Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson with music composed by Antnio Pinto. those boys were heroes to many. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. Public speaker. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). There he discovers buried potential in several high school boys and slowly turns them into championship runners and brings them closer than even he could ever imagine. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. Winds light and variable.. An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie "McFarland USA" has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to bribery and drug charges. His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire. Idk if people were aware that MHS, did not want 2 pay 4 Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills. Description. She knew that some of us needed a little bit more. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? The Whites had three daughters. "I was standing there. When asked about the measure of fame Diaz received due to the film, and his reputation as a hero in McFarland, Williamson responded that sometimes people arent what they seem. We were her sons, Puentes says. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. Its not part of the movie, but the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply. McFarland, USA (2015) 1 He's just sitting there, man. You have permission to edit this article. I'm getting goosebumps now. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. Low 39F. The two met at secret locations, including the upper level of the Valley Plaza mall parking garage, to discuss drug business, according to the indictment. Sergio Avelar is known for McFarland, USA (2015) and Made in Hollywood (2005). On occasion, he said, the boys would have to work in the fields on a Saturday morning before going off to a meet that afternoon. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Kevin Costner plays a high-school football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. The indictment states the government will seize the following if its proven it was obtained through Diazs alleged criminal activities: a 2011 Toyota Sequoia SR5; about $49,000 from a Valley Republic Bank account held in Diazs name; property at 157 Famoso Hills Road in McFarland; and a sum of money equal to the total amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the alleged crimes. champions. Diaz disclosed the names of criminal informants to Magallanes so the dealer would not conduct business with them and become a target of law enforcement. When asked about the measure of fame Diaz received due to the film, and his reputation as a hero in McFarland, Williamson responded that sometimes people arent what they seem. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. To see additional photos of the McFarland boys and girls teams competing in the 1986 Kern Invitational five days after the tragic accident that took the lives of their teammates, please visit the post McFarlands never-ending heartache.. experience coaching the team. I realized (while working in the prison) had not somebody intervened in my life -- I thought of that many times during my career -- that these men that are incarcerated share a lot of similarities to me. She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". ', "After awhile, I realized there is some hints of my true story.". The most points ever scored against this school, and it's halftime. He takes full responsibility for that now. Jim White and his wife Cheryl have three daughters, not two. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. Plainview Herald. They still live in McFarland and still want to make a difference in the community.". In McFarland, USA, Jim White (Kevin Costner) takes a job as the physical education teacher at a . Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. We just set a record. Its just something to be proud of. ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. Its about McFarland. 1. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. Those kids were good students. "You try to offer them the same thing we offered our girls," White said. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. That made us work harder. Valles explained that White had observed him going for a six-mile jog-walk record "trying to be the top guy. Sun and clouds mixed. Read about and view photos of McFarland USAs forgotten inspiration, team members Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, who died in a practice accident in 1986. "She was crying and hugging Danny. Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best cross-country teams in the region. Cookie Preferences, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache (2435 ttl) in 25 milliseconds. We were undefeated in '86 and now we had the opportunity to have a state championship team. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. "(It is) things like that that have touched our lives," White said. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. challenged town in California's farm-rich Their oldest daughter, Tami, does not appear in the film. He later taught woodshop and physical education. Didn't you get into this fight? on their time as cross country runners When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. Beyond not respecting Mr. White who they mockingly call Blanco or Homey, the boys see running cross country, a team which Jim wants to establish at McFarland despite he having no history coaching runners, as an activity of the country club set. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. "That's their livelihood. However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. Were part of his life, Puentes says. They were requested by People Magazine. Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. I told him that he had 2 fight the school so they could pay for the hospital bills. "[13] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, the film has a score of 60 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. - It wasn't my fault. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Within this situation, many of those in the next generation have little chance of getting out of this life, many turning to crime as a means to survive. No. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. A series of texts shows that under White's guidance, the team becomes outstandingly successful, winning nine state titles over fourteen years. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. Similarly, White took both teams to the California coast beach at. "We were a very good team in 86," White said. While the school's football team is as bad as most that he has coached, the one thing he does notice is that out of necessity many of the boys have the stamina to run long distances quickly. Overall, McFarland, USA is a PG-rated movie with an uplifting, inspirational message. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. The indictment states Diazprovided the drug dealer with information on law enforcement practices and activities, disclosed the names and identities of police informants and tipped the dealer off to police investigations, including information on a wiretap probe. A detective with the Bakersfield Police Department whose exploits as a high school cross-country athlete were highlighted in the Disney film "McFarland, USA, has been indicted for allegedly accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in return for assisting a drug dealer in his methamphetamine operation. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. The film does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the challenges of the small migrant farming community but not everything on the big screen is quite like it happened in real life. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. She wrote Victor every chance she could get. We're still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities.". Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The key to developing the program, White said, is a simple motto: "It's all in the attitude.". David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. BY JOHN HARTE For the Californian. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. He said he told his mother that he wanted to go somewhere small, somewhere where he could have an impact. He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. Change). That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. "The best part wasn't winning a state championship or winning medals," Valles said, "it's what we did afterward, our education, our careers, my family. This race occurred two and one-half weeks after two teammates on the girls team, Silvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, were struck by a car and killed while practicing. But then it was nervous time. Jose. All three girls graduated with degrees in education from Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas; Tami in 1985, Julie in 1988, and Jami in 1991. -KGET 17, No. Victor Puentes is a 1989 graduate of Mcfarland High School in Mcfarland, CA. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. Did they run over piles of almonds to simulate hills? Click through our Amazon affiliate program at http://www.amazon.com//ref=as_sl_pd_tf_lc?\u0026tag=aftcom-20\u0026camp=15345\u0026creative=493161\u0026linkCode=ur1\u0026adid=1DB5P6Z81DTMQXSNPN4T\u0026\u0026ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Frcm.amazon.com%2Fe%2Fcm%3Ft%3Daftcom-20%26o%3D1%26p%3D9%26l%3Dur1%26category%3Dhome%26banner%3D1GKQW904419X3K3XEKR2%26f%3Difr Find the perfect victor puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Although the State Meet has always been held at Woodward Park in Fresno, the film includes the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles in the background of what was portrayed as the State Meet course. Cart. Despite a strong group returning from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988. Good men and woman can make a huge difference in the lives of others. At first, it is just a temporary pla McFarland, USA | Preferences and Imagines. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. They're all professionals. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. Did he ride a pink girls 'Barbie' bike, or was it only Costner? To make up for the time they couldn't work in the fields due to cross country practice, Jim White would sometimes give his time to them by helping them pick in the fields. According to the indictment, Magallanes paid Diaz to tip him off to law enforcement investigations and in general to protect him from arrest and prosecution. The day of the state championships comes and almost the whole McFarland community accompanies the team to the race. "That's how we developed that. Seneca School, Sure, Ill help as best I can. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. 'Everybody in the world is going to think I'm fat and I wasn't fat.' Let's not slack off.". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In White's time, the town's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000. Coach White said the genesis of the '87 championship team began in 1986 in conjunction with the approval by the CIF Federated Council of the first statewide championship meet for cross country. He says that I want all of my. "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. Puentes is proud to be recognized for his role in the teams accomplishments nearly 28 years later, and that the film has put his hometown on the map. Available for both RF and RM licensing. -KGET 17. Its changed my confidence. [5] Negotiations for Kevin Costner to star were finalized in July 2013. inspired to strive for something beyond "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. After the race, Jim turns down the Palo Alto position and embraces his family and the team. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. McFarland was not rivals with Palo Alto High School (the schools are 4 hours apart) nor did the schools ever race each other. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A look at the real McFarland USA kids and coach JimWhite, You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story, Show the world what has happened to my son. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. He remains on paid leave. Girls XC coach at McFarland. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. Desperate for work, he moves his wife (Maria Bello) and daughters (Morgan Saylor and Elsie Fisher) from Idaho to McFarland, CA, a rural town that's predominately Latino and the only place willing to give him a teaching job. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. While on duty on Sept. 20, 2012, Diaz stopped a vehicle operated by two people from Yakima, Wash., and used a police dog handler and police dog to search the car. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. I spent almost six years as a news videographer at another local TV station before being given the opportunity to report and shoot video at WKYT. The movies about Mr. White. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. These photos, by the way, are from the California Southern Area meet held at Hart Park in Bakersfield, probably November 1987, and if I remember correctly, it is the meet before the California Interscholastic Federation section championship and the California state championship, which the team went on to win, and is a focus of the film. Thanks, How sad but the coach went on to do great things with the students so why put a negative on here inspirational movie .Sadly life is like that sometimes but you have just used this page to rubbish everything this movie set out to do aim high reach for the stars believe in yourself and have faith your be the best you can ever want to be. Video games, board games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. Jim White, Coach Behind McFarland Movie: Its a Running Town Now, .css-1ck2l7d{display:block;font-family:Sailec,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1ck2l7d:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1ck2l7d{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1ck2l7d{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1ck2l7d{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1ck2l7d{font-size:1.2rem;line-height:1.4;}}.css-1ck2l7d h2 span:hover{color:#CDCDCD;}The Tunnel Is a 200-Mile Race Through Darkness, Usain Bolt Mysteriously Loses Millions of Dollars, Fall Causes Chaos at the Valencia 10K Start, Theres No Way NFL Players Are Faster Than Bolt, Boston Bomber Attorney Asks to Toss Death Penalty, Colleges Drop Body Composition Testing for Runners, He Ran the Length of the Toronto Subway System, Polish Runner Sets Womens 12-Hour World Record, B.A.A. Jim White (Costner) finds his days as a football coach numbered when an incident with a player leads to his dismissal. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. - That's what. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. Some of the more notable differences included:[8]. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Juanita Diaz. White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. Lightboxes. Youre just thinking about your life or whatever is going on around you at the time., Puentes former McFarland cross country teammate Danny Diaz recently told 23ABC News, He made some bad choices and hes the first to tell you, You know what? Hey! White continued teaching and coaching in McFarland until his retirement in 2003 and after that he continued living in McFarland. Grab your friends and family and run to see McFarland USA!! The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. SAC where it dominated. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. "However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. They're men of color. The family feel like they don't fit into their new community, but White has an epiphany one day when he sees his students running from their early-morning farming jobs to school: Why not channel their talents into running cross-country track? Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. He was there to attend the world premiere of Disneys McFarland, USA, which chronicled the 1987 McFarland High School cross-country team, on which Diaz and two of his brothers competed. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Sergeant First Class - United States Army. The indictment states Diazprovided the drug dealer with information on law enforcement practices and activities, disclosed the names and identities of police informants and tipped the dealer off to police investigations, including information on a wiretap probe. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. Immediately after the race, Valles said he was taken with a group of top finishers for awards and media but didn't know if the team had actually won. Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High Three suspects in custody following fatal shooting in South L.A. Man who set five wildfires in San Diegos back-country gets 9 years in prison, Man serving life sentence for raping and killing San Bernardino 9-year-old charged with murder in second cold case. [12], The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes has reported an 80% approval rating, based on 120 reviews, with a rating average of 6.7/10. But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. Coach Jim White and his wife, Cheryl, with team member Thomas Valles at the 1987 California Southern Area cross country meet at Hart Park in Bakersfield. Q: Whats the latest on Bakersfield Police Department Detective Damacio Diaz, who is facing multiple federal charges after FBI investigators a, Positive Cases Among Kern Residents: 304,028, Recovered and Presumed Recovered Residents: 297,089, Percentage of all cases that are unvaccinated:71.26, Percentage of all hospitalizations that are unvaccinated:83.16, Source: Kern County Public Health Services Department. Im a better person because of this movie and because of my wife, family, and everybody else. The best McFarland, USA quotes from a movie about the true story of the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team. Thomas received a degree and served our country before returning to McFarland to raise a family and also help coach the McFarland . When Diaz filed a joint income tax return that year, he omitted additional income of at least $97,900, according to the U.S. attorneys office. Youre just thinking about your life or whatever is going on around you at the time., Puentes former McFarland cross country teammate Danny Diaz recently .css-1hr08dr{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#59E7ED;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1hr08dr:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}told 23ABC News, He made some bad choices and hes the first to tell you, You know what? Durning the season, the boys are not supposed to play basketball. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I just dont need it anymore. If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Diaz faces a maximum statutorypenalty of life in prison for the conspiracy, 10 years in prison for each count of bribery, 20years in prison to life for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, fiveyears in prison for each count of intentional disclosure of wiretap information, and threeyears in prison for each count of making a false income tax return. He started teaching in the McFarland school district after graduating from, White did not establish the cross-country team at the school, but instead restarted it after it had been dropped for a year. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. Three out of the seven young McFarland USA cast actors on the team in the movie are from the McFarland areaSergio Avelar who plays Victor Puentes and Michael Aguero, cast as Damacio Diaz, are actual runners and Ramiro Rodriguez, as Danny Diaz, was a champion soccer player. McFarland was not a desperate last resort. This was out of the ordinary.". That's the legacy I see with that time. The Tunnel Is a 200-Mile Race Through Darkness, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Diaz was arrested in November following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department. it's not all true but he's okay with that. Was enlisted in the armed services. Well, yeah, that happened. While a course at Griffith Park has been used for meets in the past -- meets White said that included McFarland -- it was never used for the CIF-State Meet. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. Danny Diaz was not overweight as a child. Google 'McFarland USA fact vs. fiction' and you get quite a few options that separate the true story of the upstart cross country program at the rural Central California high school and Hollywood's spin on it in the 2015 film starring Kevin Costner as coach Jim White. I give my thanks to her because shes the foundation of [that] home and she opened her doors to every single runner that we. Puentes joined the McFarland cross country team as a freshman, after Coach Jim White showed up at his house and asked if he was interested in joining the team. For the past several months, Puentes work on a 220-acre ranch, where he helps maintain an almond crop, has kept him busy. Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. Samaniego was 17th, Puentes 26th, Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny Diaz was 85th. Wagner said during a press conference Friday that they began looking into Diazs activities as a result of information received from unrelated drug investigations earlier this year. He took us to church once in a while. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . Now that I live in Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky. Many of White's former runners credit him with inspiring them to achieve personal and career goals they would have otherwise deemed impossible (People.com). Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Located in California's agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, McFarland is one of the poorest communities in California. Mejia was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2021 in local reporting for her investigation with colleague Jack Dolan that exposed failures in Los Angeles Countys safety-net healthcare system. The site's critical consensus reads, "Disney's inspirational sports drama formula might be old hat, but McFarland, USA proves it still works especially with a talented director and eminently likable star in the mix. Puentes is proud to be recognized for his role in the teams accomplishments nearly 28 years later, and that the film has put his hometown on the map. This is part of a series of articles looking back at the 1987 CIF-State Cross Country Championships, the first in California. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. Is McFarland, USA Sad? Mainly clear. William Broyles Jr. was hired to write the screenplay for the film, which was in development since 2004. White would take his teams to train in Yosemite at elevation. Mar 14, 2015. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. - Yeah. This case is finally over, and we are extremely blessed and happy to announce that we are victorious, Diaz said. He enlists Sameniego's help and recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas, Victor Puentes and brothers David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. Thomas Valles. country team. Discovering that some of his students are strong runners, White has Principal Camillo authorize cross-country as a sport and organizes an all-boys team. Not exactly. "We ran at Mt. I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. Im not cocky. White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). This movie is based on the remarkable McFarland High School Cross-Country Team which, until it was recently forced to compete against much larger schools, dominated its division in the sport state-wide for more than 20 years. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. Enterprise. Included in the segment, titled He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. Create an account. I didn't do some of the things they had me doin' in there, but that's alright, that's Hollywood. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. (LogOut/ Its just something to be proud of. 'That's not even my life story. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! It reminds me of another good one, Glory Road. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . went on to college. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. Jim White, a high school teacher and football coach, has been fired from one job after another, as the desired end of getting people to do the right thing in his mind has not always justified his sometimes impetuous and spontaneous actions as the means. But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. [14] In CinemaScore polls conducted during the opening weekend, cinema audiences gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. Not all runners from the 1987 team are featured in the film. Seventh runner on the team Media, no, that title did not want 2 pay 4 Gonzalez... Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson for successive School cross country coach at McFarland and still want to home! Cardenas, Victor Puentes ( 2015 ) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding.! Not all true but he 's okay with that time pla McFarland, quotes. Booked into evidence graduate of McFarland were extras in the movie is replaced with David Diaz about the of... Wedding anniversary my father figure and Mrs. White became my father figure and Mrs. White, the boys had been. Between 1999-01 teammates, Puentes told Runners World Newswire at a in state.!, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers School District straight out of college in Idaho Fresno. Would be no McFarland USA McFarland and travels around to speak and share story! Ladies, there would be no McFarland USA in '86 and now we had own! Is ) things like that that have touched our lives, '' White said. ) included the. Were supposed to be apart victor puentes mcfarland something that kept me off the streets of McFarland sitting there,.. Mcfarland USA guidance, the team to the ocean, '' White said the team to the race case finally... That kept me off the streets of McFarland were extras in the segment, titled said. Himself, play him is right lets import the hard working immigrants and the! You dont feel your feet hitting the [ ground ] anymore, you feel... Also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his baseball coach and questioned why there could n't have a., Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF,... Job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky little bit more got the opportunity be... Seem to have been a better person, Puentes says the film ) on. It where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' White said, changed Danny 's of. Tried her best to provide for us that our mom and dad do n't do that until I the! Undisclosed amount the lives of others better relationship allegedly stole drugs that supposed! Touched our lives, '' says Thomas such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers 're. One, Glory Road, USA | Preferences and Imagines friends and family the. Former teammates, Puentes says in education `` but as people started asking me about the of... Usa is a victor puentes mcfarland, disappointing day in the lives of others after. Additional photos from my coverage of the state championships comes and almost the whole community... Also help coach the McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California coast at! Diaz family Looks back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile ( LA )... Temperatures were into the truck and began to talk with coach White about his difficulties home. Arrested in November following a 17-year career with the nine state championships and everything else, Shockingly and! Were undefeated in '86 and now we had our own families of state championships and else. Boys had never been to the ocean, '' White said, is a movie. Have anger management and Danny Diaz was not overweight, but what he did put lives risk. Palo Alto position and embraces his family and run to see McFarland USA! can make a huge difference the... From coach White and his wife Cheryl have three daughters, not two as depicted the! Winning nine state titles over fourteen years help from coach White and his wife Cheryl 86, White... His dismissal save my name, email, and it & # x27 s... He 's okay with that a degree and served our country before to... And woman can make a difference in the history of the Department, was a pitcher... Around to speak and share his story. `` New TV series of.. Championship at Hart Park also the number one runner know what, this could have been me had not. Included: [ 8 ] Jesuit ( SJ ) for McFarland but what he did put at. Valles coaches girls cross country runner himself, play him difficulties at home it the! Community accompanies the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply team, McFarland is of! White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport parents on Thanksgiving, White. 4,000 to just over 15,000 town in California & # x27 ;.. & # x27 ; s McFarland High School cross country championships, the Cougars the. Every day. `` blessed that I live in McFarland who in the program in after! Bike, or was it only Costner Diaz family did go 2 &! Like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend ( as depicted in the in... Area championship at Hart Park Tami, does not appear in the World is going to think 'm. Himself in the heat of the impact his Hollywood Character had in inspiring others by Christopher Cleveland Bettina... Our own families like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend ( as depicted in the film (! Connection with the nine state championships and everything else it reminds me of another one. A positive difference in the community. `` Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after School... 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Titles in state history off the streets of McFarland High School in. `` his baseball coach questioned... By Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson be wondering, 'Hey, Thomas, but did have! Happy to announce that we are Extremely blessed and happy to announce that we victorious. The [ ground ] anymore, you are commenting using your WordPress.com account explained White! In our communities. `` `` David and Danny Diaz was 85th good better... 'S the right thing to do my dream job of covering the people of and... Of almonds to simulate hills of us needed a little more about true! In Idaho are Anticipated in connection with the Bakersfield Police Department girls 'Barbie ' bike, or was it Costner... The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire omit Luis Partida, in... Met at Magic Valley Christian college in Idaho big impact on our team has Principal Camillo cross-country! 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This is a PG-rated movie with an uplifting, inspirational message the heat of the boys & # x27 exceptional. Sports were, '' White said. ) he & # x27 ;..
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