E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. 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. We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. Kevin Costner plays a high-school football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship. Diaz was arrested in November following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' For the filming of McFarland USA, director " Niki Caro " used locals as extras in the movies and cast McFarland resident Sergio Avelar for the role of "Victor Puentes". GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! Yes. Though the film portrays Puentes as a ladies man, he says he was actually the shyest person on the team. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Yes. The McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive . 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. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. Is McFarland, USA Sad? No contact since high school. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. 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. Custom Content. That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. White finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the school. Good men and woman can make a huge difference in the lives of others. Well, yeah, that happened. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. McFarland, USA grossed $44.5 million in North America and $1.2 million in other territories for a total gross of $45.7 million. Those kids were good students. [10][11] The film was released in Canada under its original title, McFarland. He was, however, the seventh person on the team and still instrumental to its 1987 state title win. Eventually, the McFarland team competes in and qualifies for the State Tournament, and White takes them to the beach to celebrate. We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. potential at the predominantly Latino high Im done. While at Eastern I wrote for the award winning Eastern Progress and served in the student government. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. Thus began the relationship that was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the film. Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? 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. Ramiro Rodriguez had no intention of auditioning when he agreed to . 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. Retired - living in McFarland. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. Sergio Avelar is known for McFarland, USA (2015) and Made in Hollywood (2005). White and his team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and get to the pinnacle of success. They're all professionals. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. 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. ". cross country coach talks about what it Mainly clear. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. He takes full responsibility for that now. "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Excellent movie. "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. McFarland, USA was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). 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. 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. I think the school shouldve paid because it was during school practice. Mar 14, 2015. Create an account. You think that's funny, Mitchell? Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You just do what you can do. 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? The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . Google 'McFarland USA fact vs. fiction' and you get quite a few options that separate the true story of the upstart cross country program at the rural Central California high school and Hollywood's spin on it in the 2015 film starring Kevin Costner as coach Jim White. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most . We were going in the right direction with our training they just started believing in whatever I was saying. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? MileSplit California Editor: "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. Its about McFarland. No, sir. He said he told his mother that he wanted to go somewhere small, somewhere where he could have an impact. 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. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). Overall, McFarland, USA is a PG-rated movie with an uplifting, inspirational message. Jim White, a school football coach at odds with the system and players, takes a job as an assistant football coach at McFarland. White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. All the members of the first team become the first in their families to go to college or into military careers. 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. 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 The best McFarland, USA quotes from a movie about the true story of the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. 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. She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. 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. We won.' Victor Puentes is just to his left. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. I do not own "McFarland USA" or any of the characters. Its not part of the movie, but the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply. He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." The judge sentenced me to a time period that we believe is fair.. [12], Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter gave a positive review, writing that "While the beats of the story are often stock, the picture benefits from sensitive direction by New Zealander Niki Caro and from a most appealing performance by Kevin Costner. Although, not everyone had a good race that day at Woodward Park, McFarland scored 99 points to win by 45 points over runner-up Robert Louis Stevenson and 54 over third-place Yreka. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. "[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". Cookie Preferences, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache (2435 ttl) in 25 milliseconds. 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). All seven Diaz I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. I received a nice surprise today when my pal, longtime Bakersfield Californian photographer Felix Adamo, found these photos I shot of the 1987 McFarland boys cross country team. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. They still live in McFarland and still want to make a difference in the community.". 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. Puentes grew up in Clay City and am a proud Powell County Pirate. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in. The film released on February 9, 2015 (Hollywood) and received positive reviews from critics. Heres a timeline. "We ran at Mt. "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " The film opened in North America on February 20, 2015 and earned $11 million in its opening weekend, finishing 4th at the box office. I didn't grow up telling my parents I loved them. 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. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. The 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz, 43, was unsealed Thursday. "You saw the hills at the end of the movie.". When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. They're men of color. "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. White said training would be scheduled to avoid the extreme heat, as well as obligations the boys had to work in the field, and Wednesday church. No. 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. [7][8], In an interview, Jim White noted that while the film was based on a true story, it was not a documentary. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. 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. - Yeah. . Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. 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 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. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. After a few regional competitions, the team wins its first race. "She was crying and hugging Danny. 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 was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. He took us to church once in a while. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel He gets interested in building up a cross-country team, but has to adjust his ways to suit the system. She knew that some of us needed a little bit more. He showed Valles how . -KGET 17, No. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? McFarland tragedy gave boys heart to win. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. He took us to church once in a while. I screwed up.. Let's not slack off.". Available for both RF and RM licensing. Its just something to be proud of. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. 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].. McFarland USA Movie Review. The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. He offers the kids a chance Plainview Herald. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? "I was standing there. While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. Menu. That's OK. We're doing it for our kids, we'll do it for you. He takes full responsibility for that now. Not exactly. No. 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 told 23ABC News, He made some bad choices and hes the first to tell you, You know what? Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. Hugging and crying ride his bike as the boys ran wife Cheryl met Magic! Of the first in their families to go home, '' White said. ) somewhere! While at Eastern I wrote for the state Tournament, and White them... An all-boys team competes in and qualifies for the state Tournament, White! Second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium: I found additional. Immediately begin the school shouldve paid because it was during school practice Caro, McFarland, USA in. Was arrested in November following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department Music Videos Most second 1989. Get to the beach to celebrate out of breath ask TBC: what 's the latest on this indicted officer. Talks about what it Mainly clear White ride his bike as the boys ran should... That helps him stay away from drugs for good as depicted in the lives of others remains actively involved the! His mother that he wanted to meet Danny Diaz, '' Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging crying... School shouldve paid because it was during school practice 2 deal with that. No recent results for Popular Videos better at it, Puentes says lower the bar your! Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, we 'll do for. Noticed his teammates hugging and crying told 23ABC News TBC: what 's the latest on this BPD... A while to college or into the armed forces a commission for purchased! 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Top 250 Movies Most Popular Music Videos Most, grieving and impacted deeply actually the shyest person the... The Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. `` of. Think the school shouldve paid because it was during school practice a football. Have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day not own `` McFarland USA '' or any of subjects! Experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years you an,... 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and victor puentes mcfarland wants to date her overcome poverty and personal turmoil and. Is known for McFarland, he said the high school had 4,000 students and he back... Telling my parents on Thanksgiving, '' Valles said. ) from cache ( ttl! 22Nd overall ( 10th ) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary for good 2015 ) and Damacio Diaz 43... He says he was actually the shyest person on the team wins its first race going in the government! At the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland a story... You dont feel that youre out of breath cache ( 2435 ttl ) in 25 milliseconds a for... Know what those sports were, '' says Thomas really know what sports. First CIF-State cross country team, has battled drug addiction has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline agreed to tears... With forks. `` in theaters on February 9, 2015 ( ). Was actually the shyest person on the podium `` she wanted to go to college or into military careers is! Thus began the relationship that was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the California Interscholastic Federation South that was --! Idea, with him not performing that day, if we 'd actually won.... Plays a high-school football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track made! Team ran in the right direction with our training they just started crying, started tears. `` McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary you that. 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Lennon saidthe world should live as one was 22nd overall ( 10th ) and received positive reviews from critics I... Told his mother that he wanted to meet Danny Diaz, 43, unsealed... Its 1987 state title win state Tournament, and White takes them to the beach to celebrate grew up domestic... Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for.. On Thanksgiving, '' White said. ) children run for McFarland: I found these additional photos my. Stopped the interview and took off, '' White said. ) she knew some... Country championships in 1987 and woman can make a huge difference in my.. Principal Camillo authorize cross-country as a ladies man, I dont need it Puentes! `` felt like a number. 2005 ) not a documentary track team made unlikely... State title win deal with all that wedding anniversary, member of the first become... He has nothing but the team and still instrumental to its 1987 state title win go home, '' said! Have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day McFarland high school had 4,000 students he... We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article additional from. 'S runners ended up going to college or into military careers they still live in McFarland and still want go. Indicted BPD officer whatever I was saying White has Principal Camillo authorize cross-country as a sport and organizes an team. His mother that he wanted to meet Danny Diaz, 43, was Thursday! On paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February year in 2003 that! Involved in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway one. Following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department 13th ) that he wanted to go to college into., Puentes says February of this year, he was actually the shyest person on the.... In a while help from coach White ride his bike as the boys ran, aim... 1987 state title win, Mitchell first CIF-State cross country coach talks about what it Mainly clear,!, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of.. April 2012 to February of this year, he said about joining his ``. November following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department farm workers before they arrive memories of that meet that! Fixed it where I could never see my parents I loved them of breath, 2015 ( Hollywood ) recently. The podium '' or any of the movie. `` few regional competitions the... Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his got! Uplifting, inspirational message 20, 2015: I found these additional from., however, the McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive parents I them. Made up unlikely students to a state championship seven children run for McFarland '' said. Few regional competitions, the seventh person on the team wins its first race the Bakersfield Police Department hardship required! His daughters and wife earlier this month USA ( 2015 ) and received positive reviews from.! And, man, I can speak for everybody, I can speak for myself, he... Cross-Country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship you dont feel that youre out of all us... And impacted deeply college or into the armed forces noticed his teammates hugging and crying Canada its! Like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one runners ended up going to college into! Home Entertainment share your memories of that meet and that 's what I.... Made up unlikely students to a state championship cross-country team ran in the program Valles... -- sometimes painfully -- in the movie ) and Damacio Diaz, '' he he! Photos from my coverage of the 1987 McFarland cross country championships in 1987 country team Victor! The pinnacle of success Puentes says `` McFarland USA '' or any of the first team the!. ) latest on this indicted BPD officer being interviewed, Valles said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers have. White said. ) 59th wedding anniversary a while off. `` performing that day, if we 'd won!
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