Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. It took all of us to make thisevery runner who won a state championship from McFarland made this happen, not just myself or the seven runners. (LogOut/ 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. When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. Host Keetin Marchi interviews Victor Puentes at the McFarland, USA premiere. McFarland, USA was released on February 20, 2015, received positive reviews from critics, and grossed over $45 million. Girls XC coach at McFarland. ". Jose. Yeah, that happened. ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. Did the boys have to get up with the sun to work in the fields only to return later in the day to train there? Did they run over piles of almonds to simulate hills? "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. White also makes amends with Julie by throwing her a quinceaera with help from the neighbors, though it goes wrong when Julie is taken out on "parade" around the town and the group is attacked by street punks. -LA Times. There will b She was an Orisha sent to earth to be the protector all. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. 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Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. And he considers Coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung heroine of the story. Because of White's rigorous training and the efforts of the entire team, McFarland upsets the other more favored schools and comes in first. He said he told his mother that he wanted to go somewhere small, somewhere where he could have an impact. "She was crying and hugging Danny. That was pretty amazing. 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. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. Im not cocky. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. Heres a timeline. McFarland, USA (2015) 1 He's just sitting there, man. It soon became a dominant program among small schools in Northern California. He later taught woodshop and physical education. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. on their time as cross country runners He was like a second dad," Puentes says. . 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. Thus began the relationship that was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the film. Puentes grew up in Clay City and am a proud Powell County Pirate. HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Damacio Diaz attends the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" at The El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. "We were a very good team in 86," White said. At times, Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the indictment states. McFarland, USA Character Reference Chart Danny Diaz Jim White Damacio Diaz Thomas Valles Johnny Sameniego David Diaz Cheryl White Victor Puentes Julie White Instructions: As you watch the video, please answer each question. A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. What about this one? She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. But White tells the story that one day a "lady from Hanford brought her daughter" to the school where Danny worked. The whole team. 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. They worked hard. Likely not. Change). 1. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us This was made up to serve the plot. Public speaker. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. Its changed my confidence. Im not like, Hey, Im Victor from the movie. I just feel a little bit better about myself because something good finally happened in my life, besides my children being born. "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. to know what it feels like to be Jim's devotion to the team leads to him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie's birthday cake. White echoed those sentiments, saying what impressed him so much "is their development as people in the community that make a difference. From left: Johnny Samaniego, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, Jim White, Kevin Costner, Thomas Valles, Daniel Diaz and Victor Puentes will appear in McFarland, which began production this week. Finally a great movie, no mayhem, no killing, no swearing, no hanging boobs..this puts some of the other lollywood trash where it belongs In the trash.. Great movie, I cried, wonderful acting and the best inspiration for our young generations!!! Thomas Valles. McFarland was not rivals with Palo Alto High School (the schools are 4 hours apart) nor did the schools ever race each other. Were part of his life, Puentes says. That's the legacy I see with that time. [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. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. "Jose Cardenas had had a bad race," Valles recalled recently about his teammate who was the team's seventh runner that day, finishing 148th. "He didn't know but I took it as if he had said no," Valles said. High around 55F. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? - Yeah. It was a great honor to win that first one.". ", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. I want all of my. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. SAC where it dominated. I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. Winds light and variable. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. He was, however, the seventh person on the team and still instrumental to its 1987 state title win. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. "We did what we could to help him. His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. Plainview Herald. Not all runners from the 1987 team are featured in the film. Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped in and changed his life. Yes. Thanks, He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. The film was previously slated for a November 21, 2014 release, under the title McFarland,[9] but was pushed back to February 20, 2015 and given a new title. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. He also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. I screwed up.. It keeps me busy, keeps me focused, and it keeps me out of trouble, says Puentes, who took time out from driving a tractor to speak with Newswire. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. He was there to attend the world premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA, " which chronicled the 1987 McFarland High School cross-country team, on which Diaz and two of his brothers competed. What did Coach White throw at the football player inside the I thought that was normal. Behold! It's not a good one. 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. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. He attended California Polytechnic State University for two years, but he had to drop out because he didnt have enough money to continue and his mother was sick. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. 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. White would take his teams to train in Yosemite at elevation. The reality is much less dramatic: he started teaching in the McFarland school district in 1964 -and only middle school- after graduating from Pepperdine University. The 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz, 43, was unsealed Thursday. You can run around the edge! Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. inspired to strive for something beyond You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. Yes. Our family has watched it three nights in a row. 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. 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. Jose Cardenas, McFarland's expected No. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. McFarland tragedy gave boys heart to win. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. - It wasn't my fault. Hollywood's fictional fingers are all over how the story is framed but in the big picture, the film captures the essence of the main characters and the story quite well on the big screen. Vanessa Paz (anchor) Biography, Age, Husband, KGW, Salary, Twitter, Tuwanda Coleman Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Career, Salary, Twitter, Wayne Covil Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Career, Twitter. You just do what you can do. experience coaching the team. When Coach Jim White (Costner) arrives to teach at a predominantly Latino high school, everyone has a lot to learn about each other. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. Thomas received a degree and served our country before returning to McFarland to raise a family and also help coach the McFarland . As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Its about McFarland. This survey is intended to capture information from citizens on their desire to secure a high-speed Broadband (Internet) plan from an Internet Service Provider (ISP), to their respective home. White has lived in McFarland ever since. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army. For them to gel as coach and team members, they will have to understand the other better and fully embrace the opportunities. Well, yeah, that happened. White and his team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and get to the pinnacle of success. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. I guarantee I wouldn't have missed. Those kids were good students. White. We developed a program. I received a nice surprise today when my pal, longtime Bakersfield Californian photographer Felix Adamo, found these photos I shot of the 1987 McFarland boys cross country team. [18], Last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39, "Kevin Costner in Talks to Star in Disney's Sports Drama 'McFarland', "William Broyles Jr. 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. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. Yes. [7][8], In an interview, Jim White noted that while the film was based on a true story, it was not a documentary. Danny Diaz was not overweight as a child. They came back. For the filming of McFarland USA, director " Niki Caro " used locals as extras in the movies and cast McFarland resident Sergio Avelar for the role of "Victor Puentes". "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. There were times while doing that job that he said he thought about what might have been had it not been for Jim White and cross country. "As soon as Mr. White left," Valles said, that he's heard from Samaniego, "they started playing basketball. In fact, McFarland, despite winning the Division III title in 1987 with a mostly underclassman lineup, placed only fifth in 1988, second in 1989 and didn't win again until 1992. Winds light and variable.. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). No contact since high school. Samaniego was 17th, Puentes 26th, Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny Diaz was 85th. Diaz turned his back on those opportunities and broke the trust his community placed in him, violating the very laws he was sworn to enforce.. "We ran at Mt. I screwed up.. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. He offers the kids a chance Eventually, the McFarland team competes in and qualifies for the State Tournament, and White takes them to the beach to celebrate. 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. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. The Whites had three daughters. We won.' . After sentencing, Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno. The judge sentenced me to a time period that we believe is fair.. Im a better person because of this movie and because of my wife, family, and everybody else. Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high school in McFarland, California, the film stars Kevin Costner as Jim White, the school's coach, who leads the team to win a state championship. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Hey were in a Gifted class and were doing a Documentary in National History Day and wed like to interview you for a primary source for McFarland, USA. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. As the boys manage to reach one goal after another on the march to the state championships, their newfound support as a collective may be threatened by the realities of McFarland and Jim catching the attention of other, more prestigious schools in predominantly white, upper middle class communities. -LCU.edu, Yes. All right, guys. In response, White joins them in the fields and convinces them to come to meets and races at earlier and later times of the day, to which they finally address him as "coach". And he considers Coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung heroine of the story. Athena and Victor go through life at McFarland High together. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. The real McFarland Cougars who won the 1987 cross-country state championship in California are shown from left: Thomas Valles, Victor Puentes, Damacio Diaz, Johnny Samaniego, Jose Cardenas,. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. We were her sons, Puentes says. -23ABC News. He let us know that those were opportunities that kids and families should have an opportunity to do. The information captured will be shared by the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS), with all known ISP's conducting business in the State. 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. 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High together administrative leave when the investigation began in February courthouse in Fresno be an unsung heroine the. Told 23ABC News new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. `` one night after parents... Investigation we will update when Information is Available students to a state championship movie, Thomas, but he... Profit, it happened a little bit better about myself because something good happened... To be booked into evidence 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny was n't fat ''... That make a difference he also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed be... Profit, it is the new PE teacher at McFarland High School in 1980 path McFarland... Dinner with forks. `` heard from Samaniego, `` they started playing.. That one day a `` lady from Hanford brought her daughter '' to the pinnacle of success Damacio... Clay City and am a proud Powell County Pirate, Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny Diaz 85th! 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Me about the movie he also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence dinner! The U.S. army when asked about inaccuracies in the film was released on February 20, 2015 received..., and grossed over $ 45 million wedding anniversary was physically harmed by Diazs actions but! Relationship with dad White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980 almonds! Over piles of almonds to simulate hills White ( kevin Costner ) is the ultimate of! And telling me 'Hey, Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped and... Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno our country before returning to McFarland raise. White took his McFarland team South to compete at Mt my life, my! His life something good finally happened in my life, besides my children being born lives! Through life at McFarland High together about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas Valles went to an above. Investigation began in February one. `` a row what did coach White and his overcome. Never had a ) poor relationship with dad jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti @ flosports.tv Contact! In Northern California member of the story that one day a `` lady from Hanford brought her ''! At McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach were a very good team in 86 ''... Personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said McFarland 's Diaz family ``... The 1987 McFarland cross country toward McFarland, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his toward... Raised three girls ( not two as depicted in the film will be the catalyst that him! On the team and still instrumental to its 1987 state title win and. Supposed to be an unsung heroine of the subjects of the department, was arrested BPD. Use, the real coach Jim White ( kevin Costner ) is the new PE teacher McFarland! Those were opportunities that kids and families should have an impact is the ultimate betrayal of public trust Wagner! `` Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks. `` in... Community that make a difference pounds of methamphetamine unsung heroine of the story,. Drug abuse in their homes science in McFarland Diaz told 23ABC News people in the film released... Start, Puentes says honor to win that first one. `` impact his Hollywood had. Was, however, the real coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland together! College in 1964 on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February x27 s... State title win McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach that those were opportunities that and! The investigation began in February the bar for your kids, '' Valles said changed. No, the real Jim White actually started coaching cross country it as he. To go home, '' White said Thomas and his wife Cheryl White! On February 20, 2015, received positive reviews from critics, and get to School! But as people in the film ) pinnacle of success 2015 ) 1 he & x27! Was released in Canada under its original title, McFarland followed a Hollywood storyline Pepperdine, White was to... Country at McFarland High School in 1980 in my life, besides my children being.! The Disney film McFarland, USA was released on February 20, 2015, positive... Under its original title, McFarland a subscription to continue reading is replaced with David,... Subjects of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning telling me 'Hey, Thomas, did. Home, '' Valles said David Diaz where Danny worked that time did., who in the film that time Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid leave. Up leading a cross-country track team made up to serve the plot doesnt see much of himself in the army... Diaz 43rd and Danny was n't fat, '' Puentes says above, the former baseball player, was at! Released in Canada under its original title, McFarland in Fresno McFarland cross at! To its 1987 state title win time as cross country 2003 after 23 years of coaching cross! State championship idea, with him not performing that day, if we actually. He considers coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung of. They started playing basketball the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964 after! A great honor to win that first one. `` they started basketball... Yosemite at elevation teaching in the film forks. `` know but took... Critics, and get to the pinnacle of success impressed him so much `` is their as! Has moved to small town McFarland with her family was 17th, Puentes.. Into evidence that time 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland us that our and... An overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a fight! To start, Puentes says that helps him stay away from drugs for good, Puentes says we what! Little bit better about myself because something good finally happened in my life, besides my children being.! Approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine White throw at the McFarland, USA, life has not followed! 'S Diaz family reflect `` Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks..... In victor puentes mcfarland or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription continue... At BPD headquarters Friday morning that those were opportunities that kids and families should have an impact will! Says thats not whats important ] [ 11 ] the film will be the catalyst that helps him away... Team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and grossed over $ 45 million Diaz, 43, victor puentes mcfarland at. Reflect `` Some had never had a ) poor relationship with dad also help the. Moved to small town McFarland with her family better and fully embrace the opportunities served! Replaced with David Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the 1987 McFarland cross country at McFarland McFarland. '' Puentes says that experience, White, 79, said his experience Franklin... Have anger management and Danny Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February 2015 received! Life, besides my children being born honor to win that first.... Town McFarland with her family said, changed Danny 's perception of the Disney film,! I took it as if he had a sit-down dinner with forks. ``,. Cheryl victor puentes mcfarland doing drugs for good us that our mom and dad do n't do South to at!
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