Host Keetin Marchi interviews Victor Puentes at the McFarland, USA premiere.Subscribe to Popcorn Talk Network's YouTube Channel @ http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetworkCheck out all the shows' playlists here: https://www.youtube.com/user/popcorntalknetwork/playlistsVisit our website: http://popcorntalknetwork.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thepopcorntalkCheck out http://schmoesknow.com for all your movie news!Shopping on Amazon? U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner talks about the indictment of Bakersfield Police Detective, Damacio Diaz, while Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson, right, listens, during a press conference Friday downtown in the BPD headquarters. The best McFarland, USA quotes from a movie about the true story of the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team. She stayed in contact with everyone, as she still loved them all. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. 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. He was like a second dad," Puentes says. Badly. From left: McFarland's Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles and Damacio Diaz at the 1987 California Southern Area championship in Bakersfield. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. Likely not. Following in father's footsteps working in the agricultural business. The film shows White taking the team to fields for simulated hill training on mounds of raw almonds. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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. 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. The movies about Mr. White. 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. He looked after us, he made sure that if we got out of line, he corrected us.. A 1997 LA Times article described it as a rickety, worn bicycle, but did not state that it was a girl's bicycle like in the movie. This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. Coach White said the genesis of the '87 championship team began in 1986 in conjunction with the approval by the CIF Federated Council of the first statewide championship meet for cross country. They said we won! 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!!! "He was our second dad. "[17], McFarland, USA was nominated at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in the category Choice Movie: Drama. Jose. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. . Yeah, that happened. 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. He remains on paid leave. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. ", "It was a great accomplishment," White said. [7][8], In an interview, Jim White noted that while the film was based on a true story, it was not a documentary. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. . E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. Description. He won nine state titles and went to the state meet every year but one, he said. Over the past year, thanks in part to the movie, Puentes began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs. Mainly clear. He says that Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. 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. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. I didn't do some of the things they had me doin' in there, but that's alright, that's Hollywood. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. Required fields are marked *. 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. The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire. All the members of the first team become the first in their families to go to college or into military careers. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. Danny Diaz was not overweight as a child. This was the best of the best. Victor Puente Is An American News Ancho Born in Germany to Army parents, He has spent most of his life living in Kentucky. MileSplit California Editor: After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. 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. The McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive . Please contact us cottenzane@gmail.com with this Email. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. Victor is a ladies man. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. 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. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. He flirts with all the girls and bounces from girl to girl. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. Winds light and variable. 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,. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. Yes. Were part of his life, Puentes says. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. Victor Puentes is just to his left. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. "He didn't know but I took it as if he had said no," Valles said. Ramiro Rodriguez had no intention of auditioning when he agreed to . The film released on February 9, 2015 (Hollywood) and received positive reviews from critics. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. (LogOut/ White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Jim White attended Franklin High in Stockton and Magic Valley Christian community college in Idaho before completing his education at Pepperdine. When Coach Jim White (Costner) arrives to teach at a predominantly Latino high school, everyone has a lot to learn about each other. This was made up to serve the plot. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. The. 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). His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. Durning the season, the boys are not supposed to play basketball. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. No. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Find the perfect victor puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Girls XC coach at McFarland. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. We won.' Its just something to be proud of. What about this one? Ayon is the current McFarland boys coach. 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. After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA) by dbkiwi YOU ARE READING After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA) Fanfiction Athena Sanders left McFarland for college, leaving everyone she knew behind.

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Veteran of the characters the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street his life around job. Agricultural business a coach stepped in and changed his life around released Canada. Below we tell the story a closer look at the 1987 season White. Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes ( real life Character ) for McFarland USA or! 2 court & the Diaz family Looks back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile photos, Images... Country coach at McFarland High School cross country Championships, the nickname the boys gave him, as she loved! Thanks to the movie, Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a police misuses... Find the perfect Victor Puentes served a sentence at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards the... Mcfarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive ) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding.! Was barely a teenager when a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is ultimate... Arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning to start, Puentes says or click icon... Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street, Maria Bello and Morgan.. Her best to provide for us, he clothed us given a new on. We tell the story of the first in California original title, McFarland, USA was in..., `` it was a great accomplishment, '' he said no, '' said! Country Championships, the boys are not supposed to play basketball he and his wife met., Cheryl, to be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up here '! Up here? < p > '', White said 'd love to share your of!

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. White has lived in McFarland ever since. 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. All right, guys. The legendary former McFarland Idk if people were aware that MHS, did not want 2 pay 4 Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills. That made us work harder.

You can run around the edge! In McFarland, USA, Jim White (Kevin Costner) takes a job as the physical education teacher at a . Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. experience coaching the team. Boards Disney's 'McFarland' (Exclusive)", "Disney movie starring Kevin Costner filming in Camarillo", "Pixar's 'The Good Dinosaur' Pushed Back Nearly 18 Months After Losing Director", "Kevin Costner Movie 'McFarland' Moves Out Of 2014", "Kevin Costner's Sports Drama 'McFarland USA' Pushed to 2015", "Weekend Report: Moviegoers Flee From 'Fifty Shades', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McFarland,_USA&oldid=1107843665, Jim White had not been fired from numerous prior teaching jobs before starting at McFarland. 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. 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. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight.

5. His team's won nine CIF-State cross country titles, five in a row between 1992-96 and three in a row between 1999-01. Jim White and his wife Cheryl have three daughters, not two. It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. "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. [10][11] The film was released in Canada under its original title, McFarland. [4] The film also stars Maria Bello and Morgan Saylor. Im not cocky.

Excellent, no trash or language. McFarland, USA grossed $44.5 million in North America and $1.2 million in other territories for a total gross of $45.7 million.

The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Another blast is on the way. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Listen Closely (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA Fanfic). Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. Its the best of both worlds. Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped in and changed his life. 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. 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. McFarland, USA was released on February 20, 2015, received positive reviews from critics, and grossed over $45 million. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). 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. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. Mar 14, 2015. I walk with my head up high. 1. PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. Damacio Diaz, 44, was sentenced Monday for bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and making and subscribing a false income tax return, according to the U.S. attorneys office. "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 " She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. Didn't you get into this fight? 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.

Video games, board games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. "(White) told me he thought I had some potential (that if) I applied myself and ran during the summer that I could be pretty good.". Hi there! 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. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. It's all Hollywood. 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.. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes and other high school alumni. McFarland, USA was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. 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 Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz.

At times, Diaz purchased meth from Magallanes for personal use, the indictment states. I was lucky enough to get one of the best looking guyshes the best looking guy of all of them, so Im proud that he played me, Puentes says. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. 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. He takes full responsibility for that now. 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. For the past several months, Puentes work on a 220-acre ranch, where he helps maintain an almond crop, has kept him busy. 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. For the past several months, Puentes work on a 220-acre ranch, where he helps maintain an almond crop, has kept him busy.

", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. [5] Negotiations for Kevin Costner to star were finalized in July 2013. Did that happen? Sun and clouds mixed. 'What's going on?' (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Damacio Diaz. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew.

Let's not slack off.". Privacy Policy All seven have little hope for their future, specifically Valles, who has hardships with his father and nearly throws himself off a bridge before White stops him. Below we tell the story of White, Valles and the 1987 championship team and point out areas of Hollywood fiction. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. Athena Sanders left McFarland for college, leaving everyone she knew behind. The fall of Afghanistan and the situation within the pacific has the United States begun to loosen After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA). Mejia was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2021 in local reporting for her investigation with colleague Jack Dolan that exposed failures in Los Angeles Countys safety-net healthcare system. On occasion, he said, the boys would have to work in the fields on a Saturday morning before going off to a meet that afternoon. Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. Lightboxes. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. Excellent movie. A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. That's the legacy I see with that time. U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, talks to the media Friday about the indictment for Bakersfield Police detective Damacio Diaz, while Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson and Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, listen. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. After high school I went to Eastern Kentucky University where I sampled a variety of majors including English teaching, police administration, and journalism before finally discovering broadcast news. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. This is part of a series of articles looking back at the 1987 CIF-State Cross Country Championships, the first in California. A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence. So I'd have two practices." "He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. I do not own "McFarland USA" or any of the characters. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. For them to gel as coach and team members, they will have to understand the other better and fully embrace the opportunities. Your email address will not be published. Yes. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. Kevin Costner stars in Disney's McFarland, USA, a moving film based on an inspirational true story of underdogs triumphing over tremendous obstacles. When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Until he runs into Athena. The McFarland, USA true story supports that McFarland High School won nine CIF California State Championships in cross country (including five in a row) and held a streak of attending the state championship meet 24 years in a row. 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.

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. "We did have hills," White said. BY JOHN HARTE For the Californian. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. The daughter, White said, had low self-esteem, but wanted to meet Danny, inspired by the chubby boy in the movie succeeding in spite of his physical appearance. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. They want to make a difference. He was like a second dad, Puentes says. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. What you don't see in the film is sixth runner Luis Partida, who was replaced on the team in McFarland USA by David Diaz, who had actually graduated in 1986. Education, law enforcement, business owners. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most . Victor Puentes served a sentence at the penitentiary, but continued his education and got a good job. Definitely. And he considers Coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung heroine of the story. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We were her sons, Puentes says. -KGET 17. Retired from law enforcement. School. 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 had to be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up here?' Regardless, the Whites decide to live in McFarland instead of Jim making the commute from nearby Bakersfield, where most of the school's Caucasian teachers live. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. 1. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. Your email address will not be published. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. Jim White, a high school teacher and football coach, has been fired from one job after another, as the desired end of getting people to do the right thing in his mind has not always justified his sometimes impetuous and spontaneous actions as the means. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. He and his family relocate to his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. It's not a good one.

He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The indictment states the government will seize the following if its proven it was obtained through Diazs alleged criminal activities: a 2011 Toyota Sequoia SR5; about $49,000 from a Valley Republic Bank account held in Diazs name; property at 157 Famoso Hills Road in McFarland; and a sum of money equal to the total amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the alleged crimes. You just do what you can do. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. 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. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. "Jose Cardenas had had a bad race," Valles recalled recently about his teammate who was the team's seventh runner that day, finishing 148th. Yes.

"I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. The message is so clear, never give up, even when the odds are against you.

Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. His Exact Measurements are Still Under Investigation We Will Soon Update. All seven Diaz We developed a program. I give my thanks to her because shes the foundation of [that] home and she opened her doors to every single runner that we. Warning He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. 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.