Didn't you get into this fight? was like to have a movie made about his Yes. Yes. 1987: First CIF-State Cross Country Championships, Remembering 1987: CA's First State XC Meet - Series Hub, Remembering 1987: Arroyo Boys Are Nearly Perfect, Remembering 1987: Drossin, Agoura Overcome Uncertainty, Remembering 1987: First CIF-State XC Championships. "He just had high expectations of us. 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. But then it was nervous time. on their time as cross country runners 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. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. 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. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. "Neither did I throw that shoe at that young man. ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. Director Niki Caro wanted to feature more family in the film, so Luis Partida, who was on the team, was replaced with David Diaz, Damacio and Danny's brother. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. school and decides to put together a cross The answers are in chronological order. From left: McFarland's Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles and Damacio Diaz at the 1987 California Southern Area championship in Bakersfield. 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. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. 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. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. Host Keetin Marchi interviews Victor Puentes at the McFarland, USA premiere. BPD detective featured in Disney film charged with bribery, drug trafficking, BY JASON KOTOWSKI jkotowski@bakersfield.com. 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." He later taught woodshop and physical education. [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. Required fields are marked *. McFarland was not rivals with Palo Alto High School (the schools are 4 hours apart) nor did the schools ever race each other. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. He enlists Sameniego's help and recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas, Victor Puentes and brothers David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. "I was standing there. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. interview. White sees the athletic This was the best of the best. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. Eventually, the McFarland team competes in and qualifies for the State Tournament, and White takes them to the beach to celebrate. She wrote Victor every chance she could get. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. . (LogOut/ Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. "We did have hills," White said. He takes full responsibility for that now. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. In 1987, football coach Jim White loses his job after he loses his temper and accidentally injures a team player in the locker room. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. 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. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. 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. Because of White's rigorous training and the efforts of the entire team, McFarland upsets the other more favored schools and comes in first. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. 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 film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. The team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first of nine state championships. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). Hey! No. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Damacio Diaz. A series of texts shows that under White's guidance, the team becomes outstandingly successful, winning nine state titles over fourteen years. The day of the state championships comes and almost the whole McFarland community accompanies the team to the race. Buy images; Sell images; I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? Until he runs into Athena. ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". 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). Puentes has been doing visits to local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of the film. What about this one? 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. What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. The 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz, 43, was unsealed Thursday. Its about McFarland. No, sir. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. At the time of the crimes, he was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force and the Southern Tri-County Task Force of the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. 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. -KGET 17, No. Excellent movie. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. ** DISCLAIMER ** I screwed up.. 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. "When the movie came out, I was kind of in denial. Hi there! ", "It was a great accomplishment," White said. "That's their livelihood. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. "We couldn't go out there and run those things," White said. His Exact Measurements are Still Under Investigation We Will Soon Update. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. She knew that some of us needed a little bit more. "My parents divorced. Retired from law enforcement. 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. Thanks, Did that happen? 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). Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. Valles explained that White had observed him going for a six-mile jog-walk record "trying to be the top guy. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. They are portrayed to be 15 and 10, a few years younger than they actually were at the time of the first state title in 1987 (the girls were in college at the time). Mar 14, 2015. You can run around the edge! 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. Privacy Policy 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. [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. Victor Puentes; 2015; Related news. The real Coach Jim White took both the boys and girls cross country teams to the California central coast beach at Cayucos during the 1985 season (not the 1987 season). In seventh grade, Valles said his PE teacher (White) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track. McFarland USA Movie Review. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. Contribute to this page. The 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz, 43, was unsealed Thursday. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. 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. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. to know what it feels like to be I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. Its changed my confidence. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. 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. So I'd have two practices." (LogOut/ 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. The family has trouble adjusting to the Hispanic neighborhood and lament being unable to afford to live in Bakersfield. If you need Internet, this is your call to action! You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. They talk about being "[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. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. Suggest an edit or add missing content . Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. Thomas Valles. Good men and woman can make a huge difference in the lives of others. 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. He also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. White finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the school. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? ', "After awhile, I realized there is some hints of my true story.". Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. At times, Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the indictment states. Listen Closely (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA Fanfic). Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. 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. The actor rode the pink bike, not the coach. I walk with my head up high. He flirts with all the girls and bounces from girl to girl. SAC and everywhere we could find competition that could make us better. Low 39F. "[17], McFarland, USA was nominated at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in the category Choice Movie: Drama. White said there are hills around orange groves about six miles outside of town where the team goes for true hill training. He offers the kids a chance Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. 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). White taught fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and woodshop. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect Coach White called Thomas over. We treated them just like our kids. " I guarantee I wouldn't have missed. Sergio Avelar is known for McFarland, USA (2015) and Made in Hollywood (2005). Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. [7][8], In an interview, Jim White noted that while the film was based on a true story, it was not a documentary. "Niki Caro wanted to show more family in the movie so they chose me," says the real David Diaz, who actually graduated during the school year before the first state title win. 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. They're not going to let kids run all over them. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in. it's not all true but he's okay with that. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. I thought that was normal. E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. We just set a record. ", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. 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,. 1 of 27. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. He gets interested in building up a cross-country team, but has to adjust his ways to suit the system. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High Winds light and variable. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). He and his family relocate to his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. 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. You think that's funny, Mitchell? U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said his office as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the IRS participated in the investigation. Eventually sophomore Danny Diaz crossed in 91st (68th) to close out the scoring. The message is so clear, never give up, even when the odds are against you. Only he doesn't know how to speak ASL and couldn't really talk to her. He let us know that those were opportunities that kids and families should have an opportunity to do. champions. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. Thomas received a degree and served our country before returning to McFarland to raise a family and also help coach the McFarland . White has lived in McFarland ever since. When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. 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. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. I just dont need it anymore. We were undefeated in '86 and now we had the opportunity to have a state championship team. Its the best of both worlds. Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! 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. Not exactly. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. 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. 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. 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. 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. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. I do not own "McFarland USA" or any of the characters. Education, law enforcement, business owners.

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