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. 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. Both Valles and White said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on the team rather than just two. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Over the past year, thanks in part to the movie, Puentes began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs. I screwed up.. They came back. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most . 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. They want to make a difference. 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. Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. Video games, board games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. 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. I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. They're men of color. . "You saw the hills at the end of the movie.". White taught fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and woodshop. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. 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. SAC and everywhere we could find competition that could make us better. 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. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. White and his team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and get to the pinnacle of success. - It wasn't my fault. We were her sons, Puentes says. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). 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. 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. "He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. 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). He rebuilt both the boys' and girls' cross-country teams, despite only the boys' team being featured in the film. experience coaching the team. He enlists Sameniego's help and recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas, Victor Puentes and brothers David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. A series of texts shows that under White's guidance, the team becomes outstandingly successful, winning nine state titles over fourteen years. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. White continued teaching and coaching in McFarland until his retirement in 2003 and after that he continued living in McFarland. That's the legacy I see with that time. Its just something to be proud of. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. 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. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . [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. The legendary former McFarland Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. Your email address will not be published. Athena and Victor go through life at McFarland High together. What did Coach White throw at the football player inside the Yes. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. The Whites had three daughters. The film was previously slated for a November 21, 2014 release, under the title McFarland,[9] but was pushed back to February 20, 2015 and given a new title. inspired to strive for something beyond I didn't do that until I met the Whites. 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? I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). I thought that was normal. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Jim White, a school football coach at odds with the system and players, takes a job as an assistant football coach at McFarland. (LogOut/ Thomas Valles. Victor Puentes (Anchor) Arrest 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. Sergeant First Class - United States Army. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. 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. 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. 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. The fall of Afghanistan and the situation within the pacific has the United States begun to loosen After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA). He remains on paid leave. White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. The whole team. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. Mainly clear. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High School. 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. The actor rode the pink bike, not the coach. Subscribe to Popcorn Talk Network's YouTube Channel @ http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork Check out all the. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. From left: McFarland's Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles and Damacio Diaz at the 1987 California Southern Area championship in Bakersfield. Its just something to be proud of. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. The answers are in chronological order. 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. He said he told his mother that he wanted to go somewhere small, somewhere where he could have an impact. ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. "Neither did I throw that shoe at that young man. 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.. Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. 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. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. Sergio Avelar is known for McFarland, USA (2015) and Made in Hollywood (2005). 5. You think that's funny, Mitchell? 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 sentenced this week to five years in prison. Overall, McFarland, USA is a PG-rated movie with an uplifting, inspirational message. Coach Jim White and his wife, Cheryl, with team member Thomas Valles at the 1987 California Southern Area cross country meet at Hart Park in Bakersfield. 1. Jim White (Costner) finds his days as a football coach numbered when an incident with a player leads to his dismissal. Cart. 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. To see additional photos of the McFarland boys and girls teams competing in the 1986 Kern Invitational five days after the tragic accident that took the lives of their teammates, please visit the post McFarlands never-ending heartache.. "My parents divorced. I screwed up.. E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. Over the years, Puentes says he has remained close to his cross country teammates, many of whom, like himself, still live in McFarland. [4] The film also stars Maria Bello and Morgan Saylor. Duration 0 min 59 sec Views 6,759 Posted On February 07, 2015 Director Niki Caro Writer Christopher Cleveland Studio Walt Disney Pictures Release February 20, 2015 Cast Kevin Costner PE teacher in McFarland, an economically Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. 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. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. 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." Yes. Victor Puentes at the premiere of Disney's McFarland 1,588 views Feb 20, 2015 4 Dislike Share Save laughingplace 147K subscribers McFarland runner Victor Puentes, interviewed on the red. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. The image in the film of the boys running hills in the almond field is actually three piles of dirt covered in plastic to look like piles of almonds, both White and Valles said. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in. Excellent movie. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. Now that I live in Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky. "We did have hills," White said. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. 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. Descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one the easy to... Days as a football coach numbered when an incident with a player leads to his dismissal until I the... The easy favorites to win the first small schools division ( D-III state... Victor go through life at McFarland High School in 1989, he battled. Do that until I met the Whites did have hills, '' White said..! 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