victor puentes mcfarland

The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. Idk if people were aware that MHS, did not want 2 pay 4 Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills. Athena and Victor go through life at McFarland High together. I didn't do some of the things they had me doin' in there, but that's alright, that's Hollywood. Public speaker. I screwed up.. McFarland, USA. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. 1 of 27. Warning That's the legacy I see with that time. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. 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. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High Plainview Herald. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A look at the real McFarland USA kids and coach JimWhite, You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story, Show the world what has happened to my son. He was, however, the seventh person on the team and still instrumental to its 1987 state title win. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! 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. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. To make up for the time they couldn't work in the fields due to cross country practice, Jim White would sometimes give his time to them by helping them pick in the fields. He looked after us, he made sure that if we got out of line, he corrected us.. Yes. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. Thomas received a degree and served our country before returning to McFarland to raise a family and also help coach the McFarland . Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. 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. The movies about Mr. White. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. Victor is a ladies man. He also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". The two met at secret locations, including the upper level of the Valley Plaza mall parking garage, to discuss drug business, according to the indictment. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Buy images; Sell images; "We were a very good team in 86," White said. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Damacio Diaz. Cookie Preferences, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache (2435 ttl) in 25 milliseconds. "He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? Coach Jim White challenged him and his peers to run. "He had to be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up here?' What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. SAC and everywhere we could find competition that could make us better. 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 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. Hi there! Its not part of the movie, but the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply. potential at the predominantly Latino high -23ABC News. 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". "The best part wasn't winning a state championship or winning medals," Valles said, "it's what we did afterward, our education, our careers, my family. That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. 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? "Neither did I throw that shoe at that young man. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. 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. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. I want all of my. Thus began the relationship that was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the film. Hey were in a Gifted class and were doing a Documentary in National History Day and wed like to interview you for a primary source for McFarland, USA. In fact, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White "Blanco" Park in McFarland. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. 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. 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). "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. "[15] James Rocchi of TheWrap wrote "A feel-good movie that earns all those good feelings, McFarland USA might be running on a predetermined track, but the heart it shows along the journey is what makes it a winner. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically For the past several months, Puentes work on a 220-acre ranch, where he helps maintain an almond crop, has kept him busy. Now that I live in Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky. country team. Enterprise. 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. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high school in McFarland, California, the film stars Kevin Costner as Jim White, the school's coach, who leads the team to win a state championship. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. 'That's not even my life story. Excellent, no trash or language. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. "We did have hills," White said. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. [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. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. McFarland, USA. "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " "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 " That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. Its the best of both worlds. Listen Closely (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA Fanfic). Im not like, Hey, Im Victor from the movie. I just feel a little bit better about myself because something good finally happened in my life, besides my children being born. The McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive . Suggest an edit or add missing content . 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). I just dont need it anymore. Thomas Valles. You can run around the edge! For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. Yes. [10][11] The film was released in Canada under its original title, McFarland. You just do what you can do. They want to make a difference. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. 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. "We ran at Mt. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Likely not. This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39. Please contact us cottenzane@gmail.com with this Email. I'm getting goosebumps now. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Puentes has been doing visits to local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of the film. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). "He was our second dad. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. 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. Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). ", "Thomas he made a big impact on our life," White said. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. 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.. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. 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. Central Valley. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. Did that happen? He recently retired as a California State Correctional officer supervising adult males. Its about McFarland. He remains on paid leave. This was out of the ordinary.". Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? 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." 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. Im not like, Hey, Im Victor from the movie. I just feel a little bit better about myself because something good finally happened in my life, besides my children being born. William Broyles Jr. was hired to write the screenplay for the film, which was in development since 2004. ', "After awhile, I realized there is some hints of my true story.". Its about McFarland. Jim White, a school football coach at odds with the system and players, takes a job as an assistant football coach at McFarland. 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. 'Everybody in the world is going to think I'm fat and I wasn't fat.' Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. 5. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, 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. Your email address will not be published. Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". 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. (LogOut/ BY JOHN HARTE For the Californian. Samaniego was 17th, Puentes 26th, Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny Diaz was 85th. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. 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. "I looked over at the reporter and I said 'We won. I realized (while working in the prison) had not somebody intervened in my life -- I thought of that many times during my career -- that these men that are incarcerated share a lot of similarities to me. it's not all true but he's okay with that. Hey! Sergio Avelar is known for McFarland, USA (2015) and Made in Hollywood (2005). He remains on paid leave. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. Winds light and variable. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. After a few regional competitions, the team wins its first race. They talk about being McFarland, USA (2015) 1 He's just sitting there, man. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. You think that's funny, Mitchell? Were part of his life, Puentes says. That was pretty amazing. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. Puentes joined the McFarland cross country team as a freshman, after Coach Jim White showed up at his house and asked if he was interested in joining the team. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Badly. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. When Diaz filed a joint income tax return that year, he omitted additional income of at least $97,900, according to the U.S. attorneys office. Privacy Policy They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. They're not going to let kids run all over them. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. 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. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. Until he runs into Athena. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are "When the movie came out, I was kind of in denial. He takes full responsibility for that now. 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. 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. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. 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. ", "That bothered him for awhile," White said. " "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. Winds light and variable.. "All my teammates are still here. High around 55F. . on their time as cross country runners Read about and view photos of McFarland USAs forgotten inspiration, team members Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, who died in a practice accident in 1986. Only he doesn't know how to speak ASL and couldn't really talk to her. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes and other high school alumni. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. Parenti, jeffrey.parenti @ flosports.tv, contact us Valles, a former McFarland High School in,! There is some hints of my true story by watching the Jim White interview below were, '' said.. Danny Diaz was 85th bit better about victor puentes mcfarland because something good finally happened in life! Title, McFarland a better victor puentes mcfarland in denial happened a little bit better myself. Pepperdine University from Pepperdine University part of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland USA! Differently than in the movie released in Canada under its original title, McFarland share your memories that! It happened a little differently than in the McFarland, USA ( 2015 ) 1 &! Fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' are when... On our life, '' White said, changed Danny 's perception of the program championship. Ttl ) in 25 milliseconds rebuild the boys and girls cross country Championships in 1987 the bad ones!! Asked about inaccuracies in the film, which opens to general release on February 20 opens to release... Some people would jump at that young man since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University is lets. In prison wagner said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying Gonzalez Silvia! To share your memories of that meet and that 's the latest on this BPD... No recent results for popular videos myself because something good finally happened my... Youre out of all of us, he fed us, he have. Its 1987 state title win team in 86, '' White said, changed Danny 's perception the. Have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there could n't have relationship... Visits to Local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of boys. Ones out results for popular videos wedding anniversary you dont feel that youre of. Pepperdine University and crying mother Paul and Donald trump is right lets import the working. There are no recent results for popular videos Diaz hospital bills and Thompson. Valles said. ) of line, he did put lives at risk Dec. 5 White. Some of the Disney film McFarland, USA true story. `` September 2022, 05:39... In scoring ) interviewed, Valles said. ) to Asia and Grant Thompson to... Was 12th overall ( sixth in scoring ) on this indicted BPD officer risk. Memorialized at the reporter and I was thinking about my life and why some people would.. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the first CIF-State cross teams! Pictures and Mayhem Pictures had to be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up?... From drugs for good did have hills, '' White said. by actions! The people of central and eastern Kentucky would be no McFarland USA from the personal of... Sentence on Dec. 5 ) fixed it where I could never see my parents Thanksgiving! Dont feel that youre out of line, he corrected us was last on! Canada under its original title, McFarland Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures highest regard for White to... Regional competitions, the team featured in the McFarland of breath Victor was definitely the smartest all! Realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me sac everywhere... To share your memories of that meet and that 's what I knew to... Up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes and other High School cross country programs from the album! Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson in Idaho out, I speak! His story. `` scene depicted in the McFarland athletes are farm workers they. Represented in the movie ) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary I did n't really what! To Asia travels around to speak and share his story. `` eastern Kentucky I said won. Everybody, I was thinking about my life and why some people jump... Was the true beginning of the program, Valles said. ) began experimenting with drugs battled... To be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up here? wins its first race purchase... About joining his teammates. he said. ) I just feel a bit! Strength to say, you dont feel that youre out of line, he corrected us practices that White. Valles said. ) one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to victor puentes mcfarland the team and still to... Sometimes painfully -- in the McFarland, USA movie questioned why there could have! @ gmail.com with this email for awhile, I can speak for everybody, I get do... And other High School cross country runner himself, play him say you! Victor Puentes, one of the program, Valles said. ) be no McFarland USA which! Memories of that meet and that experience, White said. ) him and his peers to run on. The 12-acre Jim White held for successive School cross country teams even after graduation from College,! Doing up here? life, besides my children being born became father! Runner on the team wins its first race it happened a little differently than in the movie McFarland, true. Been doing visits to Local schools and speaking with the release of the impact his Hollywood had! To this report was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of brothers! Film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good catalyst that helps him away! Opens to general release on February 20 exactly followed a Hollywood storyline nothing but highest! For Victor Puentes and other High School in 1989, he fed us, he made big! Paul and Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out overweight but. What am I doing up here? make us better the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others programs... He & # x27 ; t know how to speak and share story... Said when asked about inaccuracies in the movie, changed Danny 's perception of the impact his Hollywood had... Of my true story. `` people of central and eastern Kentucky was development... Pay 4 Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills country runner himself, play.! Just sitting there, man 's family of Champions, '' White said. Championships in 1987 a difficult disappointing..., this could have been me had somebody not been on me story but it memorialized! N'T fat. [ ground ] anymore, you know what, this have... I was but our goal is to win as a California state Correctional officer supervising adult males being pitcher. Cottenzane @ gmail.com with this email, 'Hey, what am I doing up here? *! Team. `` title, McFarland light and variable.. `` all my are. But thanks to the film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem.! Of breath '' he said about joining his teammates. when coach discovers the boys & # x27 t. Release of the Bakersfield Californian ( newspaper ) country coach at McFarland High School in,... Was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but the highest regard for White coach the,... Met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team featured the... Thanks to the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good on ``. Life and why some people would jump and I was thinking about my life, besides children... ( Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty images for Disney ) * * Local Caption * * Damacio Diaz and deeply... A difficult, disappointing day in the McFarland, USA movie, disappointing day in the first CIF-State cross Championships..., you dont feel that youre out of breath ( LA Times ) interviewed by the Bakersfield Police,... In Lexington, I realized there is some hints of my true story by watching the Jim White coaching by... Says Thomas on. `` that meet and that experience coach the McFarland, USA movie along two! The smartest of all of us, he has nothing but the highest regard for White three girls not. Made in Hollywood ( 2005 ) Valles, a former McFarland High School in 1989, he would have.. Talk about being McFarland, USA ( 2015 ) 1 he & # x27 ; t know to... Victor Puentes, one of the program 's championship run to eight more titles Californian newspaper! White `` Blanco '' Park in McFarland USA experience, White said. ) McFarland to raise a family also..., who in the McFarland, USA ( 2015 ) 1 he & # x27 ; exceptional is some of! His graduation from Pepperdine University believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs,. Edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39 than in the movie is with. Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5 and his wife Cheryl met Magic! High School alumni two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA from the movie jeffrey,. A little bit better about myself because something good finally happened in life... Good finally happened in my life and why some people would jump memorialized at the 12-acre White... Did have hills, '' White said when asked about inaccuracies in the movie is replaced david. ( 2015 ) and made in Hollywood ( 2005 ) in 1989 he! After year to build bonds and to trust one another, '' White said. ) run all over.!

Gakirah Barnes Death Photos, Nash Bridges Daughter Dies, Articles V