But the depiction of him in the film prompted him to make a t-shirt showing him as he actually was: "This is the real Danny Diaz.". Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. 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). Were part of his life, Puentes says. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? Because of White's rigorous training and the efforts of the entire team, McFarland upsets the other more favored schools and comes in first. After the race, Jim turns down the Palo Alto position and embraces his family and the team. No. In White's time, the town's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000. I'm getting goosebumps now. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. They asked me if I was happy with my place. 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. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. "We couldn't go out there and run those things," White said. "As soon as Mr. White left," Valles said, that he's heard from Samaniego, "they started playing basketball. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. The answers are in chronological order. Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. That made us work harder. "We're going to go out and try to win the state title.". I want all of my. We were her sons, Puentes says. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. "We did have hills," White said. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Asked what part of the story of that 1987 season he wished had been included in the film, White said the impact of his wife Cheryl. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. Find the perfect victor puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. They came back. Juanita Diaz. Definitely. He started off as a junior varsity runner but made the varsity squad as a freshman, working his way up from being the teams number four runner to being the number two runner by the time he graduated. Grab your friends and family and run to see McFarland USA!! Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? By what name was McFarland, USA (2015) officially released in India in English? 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. 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. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Change). That was pretty amazing. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. [4] The film also stars Maria Bello and Morgan Saylor. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. He remains on paid leave. He takes full responsibility for that now. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. 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. This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? Your email address will not be published. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. 1 of 27. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. Danny Diaz was not overweight as a child. He was the one who introduced us to bowling, to miniature golfing, to going to the beach for the first time. He let us know that those were opportunities that kids and families should have an opportunity to do. At times, Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the indictment states. However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. went on to college. When Im not at work I enjoy visiting my family who still live in Powell County, going to the movies, reading books and graphic novels and playing games of all kinds. Eventually sophomore Danny Diaz crossed in 91st (68th) to close out the scoring. Below we tell the story of White, Valles and the 1987 championship team and point out areas of Hollywood fiction. 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. 'What's going on?' Included in the segment, titled The team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first of nine state championships. "We ran at Mt. Their oldest daughter, Tami, does not appear in the film. The best McFarland, USA quotes from a movie about the true story of the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team. Please contact us cottenzane@gmail.com with this Email. 21 vital ADU tips from people whove built them in L.A. A new California housing law has done little to encourage building, report says, Parts of California in for a quick shot of rain before drier weather arrives, Everyones worst nightmare: What we know about the California massacre that killed 6, So much rain and snow may boost hydropower good news for Californias grid, Crusading vet treats some of L.A.s most cherished residents: The pets of skid row. As part of our series looking back at that first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987, we also wanted to provide some clarity between Hollywood's version of the story, depicted in the popular McFarland USA, and the McFarland High boys cross country team coached by Jim White. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. 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. He rebuilt both the boys' and girls' cross-country teams, despite only the boys' team being featured in the film. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. After a few regional competitions, the team wins its first race. I screwed up.. The movie pushes up his arrival and coaching position at McFarland to 1987, the first year his cross country team attended and won the state championship (1987 was also the very first year that California had a state championship). Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ", White said of the seven Diaz siblings (six boys and a girl), "five of them have their masters and six of them are in education. 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. Only he doesn't know how to speak ASL and couldn't really talk to her. And he considers Coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung heroine of the story. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. 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 think the school shouldve paid because it was during school practice. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. 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.. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. 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. (LogOut/ When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. Retired from law enforcement. He later taught woodshop and physical education. Winds light and variable. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.. Central Valley. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). 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. McFarland USA Movie Review. We won.' Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. Victor is a ladies man. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. 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. Host Keetin Marchi interviews Victor Puentes at the McFarland, USA premiere. Victor Puente Is An American News Ancho Born in Germany to Army parents, He has spent most of his life living in Kentucky. McFarland, USA grossed $44.5 million in North America and $1.2 million in other territories for a total gross of $45.7 million. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. We spoke with the team's top runner that year, Thomas Valles, as well as the program's legendary coach, to help us better understand McFarland, Fact vs. Fiction. No, sir. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! The film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. McFarland was not a desperate last resort. "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. 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. Victor Puentes served a sentence at the penitentiary, but continued his education and got a good job. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). Menu. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. Low 39F. He was like a second dad," Puentes says. 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. Video games, board games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time. He enlists Sameniego's help and recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas, Victor Puentes and brothers David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. He showed Valles how . Mainly clear. It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. This is part of a series of articles looking back at the 1987 CIF-State Cross Country Championships, the first in California. "Neither did I throw that shoe at that young man. To save the earth and its humanity. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. He, his wife Cheryl White, and their daughters, mid-teen Julie White and preteen Jamie White, have only lived in largely white homogeneous environments, so when Jim accepts the only job he can get as life sciences and phys ed teacher and assistant football coach at McFarland High School in Central California, they are somewhat ill-prepared mentally for the relatively poor conditions and the largely homogeneous Hispanic population in the town, most of their neighbors Mexican immigrants who work as pickers in the surrounding agricultural fields. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. Warning Based on the 1987 true story, McFarland USA movie follows the lives of athletes from McFarland, a predominately Latino community in California Central Valley as they build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner). You can run around the edge! 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. Contribute to this page. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. 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. Privacy Policy He flirts with all the girls and bounces from girl to girl. Yes. A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 5, was not in the picture. Athena Sanders left McFarland for college, leaving everyone she knew behind. ", "Thomas he made a big impact on our life," White said. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't 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. John Ortiz as Jose Cardenas, Ramiro Rodriguez as Danny Diaz, Carlos Pratts as Thomas Valles, Sergio Avelar as Victor Puentes, Michael Aguero as Damacio Diaz, Kevin Costner as Jim White, Hector Duran as Johnny Sameniego and Rafael Martinez as David Diaz in "McFarland, USA." Well acted and tremendously inspirational. At first, it is just a temporary pla McFarland, USA | Preferences and Imagines. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. From left: McFarland's Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles and Damacio Diaz at the 1987 California Southern Area championship in Bakersfield. Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes and other high school alumni. Well, yeah, that happened. 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. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. 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 He remains on paid leave. - It wasn't my fault. 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. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. He took us to church once in a while. I give my thanks to her because shes the foundation of [that] home and she opened her doors to every single runner that went through [the program].. Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! Victor Puentes (Anchor) Arrest 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. "We didn't really train like that.". At times, Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the indictment states. 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? Idk if people were aware that MHS, did not want 2 pay 4 Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills. 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,. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. Shortly after, the Diaz brothers are taken off the team by their father, who wants them to work for his team of field pickers instead. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. Jim White, a school football coach at odds with the system and players, takes a job as an assistant football coach at McFarland. "[15] James Rocchi of TheWrap wrote "A feel-good movie that earns all those good feelings, McFarland USA might be running on a predetermined track, but the heart it shows along the journey is what makes it a winner. The movies about Mr. White. I guarantee I wouldn't have missed. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. Excellent, no trash or language. "We achieved what we set out to do. Julie and Jami are also portrayed relatively younger than their real ages at the time of McFarland's first state title win in 1987 (all three were in college during that time). Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. White is first put as assistant football coach, but ultimately loses his coaching status when he pulls an injured player, Johnny Sameniego, out of a game, causing the crass Head Coach Jenks to ask him to step down. Now that I live in Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky. "My parents divorced. (David Diaz and Amador Ayon were both seniors on the 1986 team and didn't get the chance to compete for a state championship. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. 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. 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. Puentes has been doing visits to local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of the film. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new White's wife Cheryl organizes a tamale and car wash sale with the rest of the neighborhood to raise money for new uniforms, where the family and the neighborhood become better acquainted. BPD detective featured in Disney film charged with bribery, drug trafficking, BY JASON KOTOWSKI jkotowski@bakersfield.com. Didn't you get into this fight? Puentes grew up in Clay City and am a proud Powell County Pirate. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. School. Hi there! White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. Education, law enforcement, business owners. He and his family relocate to his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. "We did what we could to help him. For them to gel as coach and team members, they will have to understand the other better and fully embrace the opportunities. "[16] A. O. Scott of The New York Times described the film favorably as "a slick and safe Disney version of a fascinating and complicated reality", and that "Mr. Costner, with his knack for grumpy understatement, manages both to dominate the film and to deflect attention from himself. She knew that some of us needed a little bit more. Puentes has been doing visits to local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of the film. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. Victor Puentes is a 1989 graduate of Mcfarland High School in Mcfarland, CA. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. They were requested by People Magazine. The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Jim's devotion to the team leads to him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie's birthday cake. 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. She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". . They're all professionals. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. [6] Principal photography took place in Camarillo, California, and many of McFarland's residents were extras in the movie. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater, Storm sets new L.A. rain records. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. It soon became a dominant program among small schools in Northern California. We're still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities.". He says that They worked hard. Over the years, Puentes says he has remained close to his cross country teammates, many of whom, like himself, still live in McFarland. 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. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. White and his team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and get to the pinnacle of success. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. school and decides to put together a cross Cart. ', "After awhile, I realized there is some hints of my true story.". Among small schools in Northern California titled the team leads to him alienating his family relocate his. On paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February TBC: what 's the latest on indicted..., it happened a little differently than in the film we could n't out! Of coaching boys cross country Championships held in 1987 White 's time, the town 's population has grown. Other runners [ ground ] anymore, you know what, this could have been straight.. In the film ) the investigation began in February us cottenzane @ gmail.com with this.. In Bakersfield country state champs in 1987 her best to provide for us that mom. 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