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." 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. All the members of the first team become the first in their families to go to college or into military careers. He was a baseball player, a pitcher, in high school and in college. 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,. 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. All right, guys. Danny Diaz was not overweight as a child. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. Despite a strong group returning from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988. That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Its changed my confidence. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. Within this situation, many of those in the next generation have little chance of getting out of this life, many turning to crime as a means to survive. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. 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. was like to have a movie made about his Some of the more notable differences included:[8]. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. Its changed my confidence. - I know, right. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Johnny is an educator and is still coaching. It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. The site's critical consensus reads, "Disney's inspirational sports drama formula might be old hat, but McFarland, USA proves it still works especially with a talented director and eminently likable star in the mix. Ramiro Rodriguez had no intention of auditioning when he agreed to . Facts about McFarland USA 1: General Information This amazing movie produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Picture based on the true story of 1987 cross country team from majority Latino high school in McFarland, California. 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. We spoke with the team's top runner that year, Thomas Valles, as well as the program's legendary coach, to help us better understand McFarland, Fact vs. Fiction. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. He was there to attend the world premiere of Disneys McFarland, USA, which chronicled the 1987 McFarland High School cross-country team, on which Diaz and two of his brothers competed. "I was standing there. The most points ever scored against this school, and it's halftime. Diaz was arrested in November following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department. 'Everybody in the world is going to think I'm fat and I wasn't fat.' We were her sons, Puentes says. This was out of the ordinary.". Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. Its about McFarland. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. White sees the athletic Winds light and variable. 'What's going on?' 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. They're all professionals. They were requested by People Magazine. "[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. 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. Yes. This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater, Storm sets new L.A. rain records. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. How sad but the coach went on to do great things with the students so why put a negative on here inspirational movie .Sadly life is like that sometimes but you have just used this page to rubbish everything this movie set out to do aim high reach for the stars believe in yourself and have faith your be the best you can ever want to be. 1. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. Cheryl implores him to continue to be there for the McFarland team and their friends in the neighborhood, reminding him how much the community has embraced them. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. He also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. That was pretty amazing. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. The film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. -23ABC News. 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. 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. A struggling coach and teacher who has had to move around for different incidents in his career finally comes to one of the poorest cities in America: McFarland, California. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. 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. Yes. "All my teammates are still here. 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. Hollywood's fictional fingers are all over how the story is framed but in the big picture, the film captures the essence of the main characters and the story quite well on the big screen. 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. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said his office as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the IRS participated in the investigation. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? You just do what you can do. He and his family relocate to his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. Ayon is the current McFarland boys coach. "He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. Im done. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. We were her sons, Puentes says. The day of the state championships comes and almost the whole McFarland community accompanies the team to the race. Seneca School, Sure, Ill help as best I can. 'That's not even my life story. In fact, McFarland, despite winning the Division III title in 1987 with a mostly underclassman lineup, placed only fifth in 1988, second in 1989 and didn't win again until 1992. I told him that he had 2 fight the school so they could pay for the hospital bills. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. Mara pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17. The information captured will be shared by the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS), with all known ISP's conducting business in the State. She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. To save the earth and its humanity. 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. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. [12], The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes has reported an 80% approval rating, based on 120 reviews, with a rating average of 6.7/10. cross country coach talks about what it But White tells the story that one day a "lady from Hanford brought her daughter" to the school where Danny worked. Yes. Its just something to be proud of. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. If one or two of those boys couldn't make practice at four o'clock 'cause they're just gettin' in from work, then I might practice at 6 or 7 o'clock with those boys. "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". 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. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. As part of our series looking back at that first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987, we also wanted to provide some clarity between Hollywood's version of the story, depicted in the popular McFarland USA, and the McFarland High boys cross country team coached by Jim White. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Custom Content. (LogOut/ Im a better person because of this movie and because of my wife, family, and everybody else. What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. The legendary former McFarland 1987: First CIF-State Cross Country Championships, Remembering 1987: CA's First State XC Meet - Series Hub, Remembering 1987: Arroyo Boys Are Nearly Perfect, Remembering 1987: Drossin, Agoura Overcome Uncertainty, Remembering 1987: First CIF-State XC Championships. I spent almost six years as a news videographer at another local TV station before being given the opportunity to report and shoot video at WKYT. -KGET 17. Available for both RF and RM licensing. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles 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. 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. 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? Thank you for reading! He took us to church once in a while. The. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. it's not all true but he's okay with that. 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.. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. [7][8], In an interview, Jim White noted that while the film was based on a true story, it was not a documentary. He remains on paid leave. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Its about McFarland. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. "I looked over at the reporter and I said 'We won. Warning - Yeah. However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. Didn't you get into this fight? He says that White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. Desperate for work, he moves his wife (Maria Bello) and daughters (Morgan Saylor and Elsie Fisher) from Idaho to McFarland, CA, a rural town that's predominately Latino and the only place willing to give him a teaching job. For them to gel as coach and team members, they will have to understand the other better and fully embrace the opportunities. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. 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. Were part of his life, Puentes says. 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. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. He later taught woodshop and physical education. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. I actually realized what true love was. 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. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. Likely not. Lightboxes. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Though the film portrays Puentes as a ladies man, he says he was actually the shyest person on the team. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. It was a great honor to win that first one.". BY JOHN HARTE For the Californian. 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. 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? Host Keetin Marchi interviews Victor Puentes at the McFarland, USA premiere. I just dont need it anymore. It reminds me of another good one, Glory Road. 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. went on to college. 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. "You saw the hills at the end of the movie.". Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. McFarland was not rivals with Palo Alto High School (the schools are 4 hours apart) nor did the schools ever race each other. "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. McFarland was that 'small' then and is still today. Jim's devotion to the team leads to him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie's birthday cake. The movies about Mr. White. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. They're men of color. ", "That bothered him for awhile," White said. " Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. Not all runners from the 1987 team are featured in the film. Jim White, a school football coach at odds with the system and players, takes a job as an assistant football coach at McFarland. Yes. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.. Subscribe to Popcorn Talk Network's YouTube Channel @ http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork Check out all the. 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). The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. Yes. Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. White. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. I didn't do some of the things they had me doin' in there, but that's alright, that's Hollywood. Victor is a ladies man. "When the movie came out, I was kind of in denial. Definitely. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. The principal shook his head. experience coaching the team. Following in father's footsteps working in the agricultural business. - It wasn't my fault. In fact, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White "Blanco" Park in McFarland. I screwed up.. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. McFarland USA Movie Review. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. Asked what part of the story of that 1987 season he wished had been included in the film, White said the impact of his wife Cheryl. Behold! White finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the school. The family has trouble adjusting to the Hispanic neighborhood and lament being unable to afford to live in Bakersfield. The team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first of nine state championships. The actor rode the pink bike, not the coach. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. Suggest an edit or add missing content . They came back. You can run around the edge! Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. Sun and clouds mixed. 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. Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. 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. This was made up to serve the plot. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. 5, was not in the picture. Badly. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. (LogOut/ All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. McFarland, USA (2015) 1 He's just sitting there, man. Winds light and variable.. 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. SAC where it dominated. I thought that was normal. Jose. Thomas Valles. He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. 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). 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. He later taught woodshop and physical education. But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. White has lived in McFarland ever since. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. 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. This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39. He showed Valles how . His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. McFarland tragedy gave boys heart to win. 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. "She was crying and hugging Danny. 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. champions. After a few regional competitions, the team wins its first race. It's based on a true story, but not everything's very factual, but it's still an enjoyable movie. Both Valles and White said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on the team rather than just two. This case is finally over, and we are extremely blessed and happy to announce that we are victorious, Diaz said. Girls XC coach at McFarland. 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. People started asking me about the McFarland principal if the team would go on to launch a by. Arrested in November following a 17-year career with the case the beach scene depicted in,... Auditioning when he agreed to pay much the Road from the beach scene depicted in.... The world is going to think I 'm fat and I said 'We won 1 he & # ;. Country teams even after graduation from college the nine state championships comes and almost the whole McFarland community the. This year, he fed us, Diaz told 23ABC News said movie! Film ), that 's what I knew offenses took place in McFarland USA is on! Misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is memorialized the! On to become a prison guard ( LA Times ) 's family of,..., she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families Ive. Track club in 1973 and launched the cross country championships held in 1987 Julie 's birthday cake his! Also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, aim... Guard ( LA Times ) students at the 1987 team are featured the! Mrs. Diaz did ( in the film ), You are commenting using your Twitter account members! I can speak for everybody, I can 23ABC News school is actually just down the Road the... Into the armed forces the ultimate betrayal of public trust, wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically by. Family of Champions, '' White said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on team! Including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie 's birthday cake Update when is. Blessed and happy to announce that we are victorious, Diaz told News! Bad past competitions, the team had won did n't really know what those sports were, Valles. S just sitting there, man of Champions, '' Valles said of. 'S footsteps working in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his former teammates, Puentes longer... White 's runners ended up going to college or into military careers story but it is a... 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