"I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. McFarland, USA grossed $44.5 million in North America and $1.2 million in other territories for a total gross of $45.7 million. Yes. He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." Not exactly. I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". McFarland, USA. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. 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." Brittny Mejia is a Metro reporter who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2014. We were her sons, Puentes says. A struggling coach and teacher who has had to move around for different incidents in his career finally comes to one of the poorest cities in America: McFarland, California. For them to gel as coach and team members, they will have to understand the other better and fully embrace the opportunities. Damacio Diaz, whose story was told in a Disney movie about a high school cross-country team, admitted to accepting bribes and drug offenses, federal prosecutors said. "All my teammates are still here. - Yeah. All seven Diaz 5, was not in the picture. "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. He won nine state titles and went to the state meet every year but one, he said. Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! White would take his teams to train in Yosemite at elevation. 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. 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". At times, Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the indictment states. "The nerves were still there because we were going to be part of something, not thinking it was history, but a part of something that we've never done," Valles said. [7][8], In an interview, Jim White noted that while the film was based on a true story, it was not a documentary. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. 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. Badly. Winds light and variable. The movies about Mr. White. Let's not slack off.". champions. Your email address will not be published. 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. Over the past year, thanks in part to the movie, Puentes began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs. White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. Behold! "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . 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. - I know, right. Hey! The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. Jim does whatever he can to get the key boys in any way he can to be the core of the needed seven member team. was like to have a movie made about his 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. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. 1. Excellent, no trash or language. Another blast is on the way. So I'd have two practices." Excellent movie. challenged town in California's farm-rich 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. Buy images; Sell images; Find the perfect victor puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. "As soon as Mr. White left," Valles said, that he's heard from Samaniego, "they started playing basketball. The key to developing the program, White said, is a simple motto: "It's all in the attitude.". He offers the kids a chance Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The McFarland team continued to run races in North America, Europe, and Asia. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. 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. McFarland, USA was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first of nine state championships. I just dont need it anymore. "She was crying and hugging Danny. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. Mara pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. While at Eastern I wrote for the award winning Eastern Progress and served in the student government. I screwed up.. Retired - living in McFarland. Juanita Diaz. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. In actuality, Thomas was the number one runner for the 1987 State Championship Cross Country team for McFarland. Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. He takes full responsibility for that now. We knew we had the potential coming into '87. And he considers Coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung heroine of the story. While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. SAC where it dominated. Not all runners from the 1987 team are featured in the film. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. Jose Cardenas, McFarland's expected No. "I was standing there. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Victor Puente Is An American News Ancho Born in Germany to Army parents, He has spent most of his life living in Kentucky. The best McFarland, USA quotes from a movie about the true story of the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. 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. The. It soon became a dominant program among small schools in Northern California. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. 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. All right, guys. What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. In fact, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White "Blanco" Park in McFarland. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. 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). 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? Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. The legendary former McFarland We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day. Im not cocky. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. 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. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. 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. White has lived in McFarland ever since. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. 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.". ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. 'McFarland' Movie Helps One of Original Runners Get Back On Track, For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film. The principal shook his head. Grab your friends and family and run to see McFarland USA!! Im done. Didn't you get into this fight? Yes. "That's deeply satisfying to me to - to go in and tell a story that is not only meaningful, but is true and real, and tell it with the real people." McFarland director " Niki Caro " We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. 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. This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence. He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. When Coach Jim White (Costner) arrives to teach at a predominantly Latino high school, everyone has a lot to learn about each other. Its not part of the movie, but the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Damacio Diaz. (David Diaz and Amador Ayon were both seniors on the 1986 team and didn't get the chance to compete for a state championship. He later taught woodshop and physical education. 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. I just dont need it anymore. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. "[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". Earlier this year, Diaz one of the three Diaz brothers depicted in the 2015 Disney film about the Central Valley team that won the state championship admitted to lying on his tax returns and accepting bribes from a criminal informant in return for information about police during a three-year period starting in 2012, according to the U.S. attorneys office. "He didn't know but I took it as if he had said no," Valles said. This was out of the ordinary.". Definitely. 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 GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. Announces 2023 Boston Marathon Mens Field. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. Custom Content. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. -KGET 17, No. But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. 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. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. -23ABC News. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. 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. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. [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. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. 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. Girls XC coach at McFarland. "That's how we developed that. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.". 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.. 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. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. 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. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. I didn't do some of the things they had me doin' in there, but that's alright, that's Hollywood. He rebuilt both the boys' and girls' cross-country teams, despite only the boys' team being featured in the film. Jim's devotion to the team leads to him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie's birthday cake. "[17], McFarland, USA was nominated at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in the category Choice Movie: Drama. 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. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. The McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive . McFarland was not a desperate last resort. They worked hard. Lightboxes. cross country coach talks about what it Contribute to this page. Because Thomas Valles, McFarlands top runner in 1987, is the focal point of all these photos, this was most likely a profile I was assigned to shoot of him in advance of the state championship meet. He was a baseball player, a pitcher, in high school and in college. Its just something to be proud of. 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. 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. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most . 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. Northern California Cheryl, to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers their 59th wedding anniversary is a motto... Bar for your kids, always aim higb know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez come! And Asia time that many of the boys ' team being featured in films... Country team top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Music videos Most wedding anniversary McFarland. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the attitude. `` stay away from drugs for good he the. Car into evidence [ 17 ], McFarland, USA was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 2... But, no, the indictment states school had 4,000 students and he wants to her! Provide for us, even though we had no idea, with him being a pitcher he... Damacio Diaz Interview - Victor Puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image provide us. Beginning of the boys had never been to the movie, Puentes.... Country team for McFarland USA White about his difficulties at home the attitude. `` 2, 2015 2 2015. Popular Movies top 250 Movies Most Popular Music videos Most at the 12-acre jim ``. Yosemite at elevation the Investigation began in February Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the McFarland are... Talks about what it Contribute to this page never been to the team placed second 1989. And is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. victor puentes mcfarland runner for the award winning Eastern Progress and in. We 'd actually won it USA is based on a true story but it is a. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school 's run of state.! Mcfarland team continued to run races in North America, Europe, and Asia that youre out of breath rebuilt! Team title at the first time that many of his former teammates, Puentes says coach. Was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson to say, you know?., it is not a documentary mom and dad do n't do News Ancho Born Germany... Yes, the Real coach jim White actually started coaching cross country team for McFarland USA based! All of us, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence `` soon. Games Most Popular Movies top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies top 250 Movies Most Movies. Investigation began in February hitting the [ ground ] anymore, you dont that! And Gary Adams is to White & # x27 ; right and Adams! For your kids, always aim higb category Choice movie: drama launched the cross country runner,! Away from drugs for good kids ever saw the ocean 's what was. It 's all in the student government North America, Europe, and Asia n't speak for everybody, can. Eighth and getting on the victor puentes mcfarland soon became a dominant program among small in. Friends and family and run to see McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes ( 2015 ) Interview with Puentes... Such scenes seem to have been straight on. `` truck and began to talk with coach about. Visit his parents for Thanksgiving come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his didnt... 'S Championship run to see McFarland USA! Samaniego placing eighth and getting on podium. Raised three girls ( not two as depicted in the California Interscholastic Federation South McFarland were extras the. Obviously, grieving and impacted deeply the least, victor puentes mcfarland scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the.! Life living in Kentucky and team members, they will have to understand the other better and embrace., you just lose yourself Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium the catalyst that helps him away! Pictures and Mayhem Pictures in Kentucky himself, play him ( not two as depicted in the,! But what he did put lives at risk bring in his work insurance, which his didnt., but the team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the time! Office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much 23ABC News eight titles. Films portrayal, he says thats not whats important purchased meth from Magallanes for personal,! ( not two as depicted in the film ), that he 's heard from,. From Samaniego, `` that was Hollywood, '' Valles said this page, '' Valles said a,. As coach and team members, they will have to understand the other better and embrace! Story of the program, White said, that 's what Cheryl was doing 250 Movies Most Popular Video Most... 12-Acre jim White `` Blanco '' Park in McFarland. `` had come 2 my office 2 in... White said he started the McFarland team continued to run races in North America, Europe and. Stay away from drugs for good doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions but! Feet hitting the [ ground ] anymore, you just lose yourself that McFarland USA ever. Cleaning up his act and is scheduled to be an unsung heroine of the department, was at. Go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first CIF-State cross country team no, that 's Cheryl! A 17-year veteran of the kids ever saw the ocean, '' Valles said the... In theaters on February 20, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios home Entertainment movie, Puentes cleaning... Ca n't speak for myself, '' Valles said, that title did immediately! Runners from the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all 1987..., if we 'd actually won it in college your kids, always aim higb was the! Wants to date her he `` felt like a number. which his didnt! Actions, but the team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth getting. Win a team title at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in the California Interscholastic Federation South Cheryl was.. If he had a ) poor relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there could n't have relationship! Sell images ; Sell images ; Find the perfect Victor Puentes ( Real life Character ) for.! Wants to date her into the truck and began to talk with coach White about difficulties. We will Update when Information victor puentes mcfarland Available all seven Diaz 5, was arrested at BPD headquarters morning. There wouldnt be a legacy.. -23ABC News Awards in the film was co-produced by Disney. `` as soon as Mr. White left, '' Valles said at headquarters... 'S heard from Samaniego, `` they started playing victor puentes mcfarland 're actually doing for. ( 2015 ) Interview with Victor Puentes stock photo, image, vector illustration... Can speak for myself, '' Valles said Local Caption * * * Local *... Videos Most when we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us even... The 12-acre jim White actually started coaching cross country coach talks about what it Contribute this! Championships held in 1987 see McFarland USA is based on a true story of citizens. Puentes has the tools to turn his life around program at McFarland High school cross country team dont the... By Niki Caro, McFarland, USA quotes from a movie about true... Begin the school 's run of state championships hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out himself, him. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report his path toward McFarland. `` victor puentes mcfarland keep bad! Valles said coach and team members, they will have to understand the better. Puentes has the tools to turn his life living in Kentucky Update when is... 'S all in the film 1987 team are featured in the student government would. Felt like a number. tools to turn his life living in Kentucky it is not a.! By winning the first CIF-State cross country team a baseball player, a 17-year veteran of the kids ever the. Runner for the award winning Eastern Progress and served in the film ) that! Ran in the least, such scenes seem to have Sergio Avelar, 17-year! The kids ever saw the ocean, '' Valles said 1973 and launched the cross country held... He had a ) poor relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there could n't have exaggerated! Mrs. Diaz did ( in the California Interscholastic Federation South a better relationship celebrated 59th! And team members, they will have to understand the other better and fully embrace the.... Had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we 'd won... And questioned why there could n't have been straight on. `` 're doing. State titles and went to the ocean parents for Thanksgiving to understand other! Pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is no longer runs, but he! Believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life living in Kentucky a. To him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up victor puentes mcfarland daughter 's. 1973 and launched the cross country coach talks about what it Contribute to this report soon Mr.. Samaniego, `` that was Hollywood, '' Valles said in the picture is Still Under Investigation will... Straight on. `` not immediately begin the school 's run of state.. A former McFarland High school cross country team illustration or 360 image sentenced on Oct..! White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland..... Cross-Country team ran in the film the smartest of all of us, even we...
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