Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. [18], Last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39, "Kevin Costner in Talks to Star in Disney's Sports Drama 'McFarland', "William Broyles Jr. -LCU.edu, Yes. Thank you for reading! 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. The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire. We were going in the right direction with our training they just started believing in whatever I was saying. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. White has lived in McFarland ever since. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. This race occurred two and one-half weeks after two teammates on the girls team, Silvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, were struck by a car and killed while practicing. I walk with my head up high. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. 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. Subscribe to Popcorn Talk Network's YouTube Channel @ http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork Check out all the. "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. "[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. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. Both Valles and White said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on the team rather than just two. 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. 1. School. White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. 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. Likely not. 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. Privacy Policy Some of the more notable differences included:[8]. The Tunnel Is a 200-Mile Race Through Darkness, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. McFarland, USA. You think that's funny, Mitchell? I didn't do that until I met the Whites. The family has trouble adjusting to the Hispanic neighborhood and lament being unable to afford to live in Bakersfield. The film shows White taking the team to fields for simulated hill training on mounds of raw almonds. 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. "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 " 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). 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. They said we won! 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? Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. "The nerves were still there because we were going to be part of something, not thinking it was history, but a part of something that we've never done," Valles said. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. But he did say there was a "low-rider" bike with his nickname "Blanco" on it. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? 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. Yes. Trending. Another blast is on the way. I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. White echoed those sentiments, saying what impressed him so much "is their development as people in the community that make a difference. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. I actually realized what true love was. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? No contact since high school. To save the earth and its humanity. Did he ride a pink girls 'Barbie' bike, or was it only Costner? After the race, Jim turns down the Palo Alto position and embraces his family and the team. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! Juanita Diaz. We're still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities.". They grew up in broken homes. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. McFarland, USA Character Reference Chart Danny Diaz Jim White Damacio Diaz Thomas Valles Johnny Sameniego David Diaz Cheryl White Victor Puentes Julie White Instructions: As you watch the video, please answer each question. After sentencing, Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. The film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. 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. "He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. 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. At first, it is just a temporary pla McFarland, USA | Preferences and Imagines. . Its not about me, its not about the other runners. 'What's going on?' 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. "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. Over the past year, thanks in part to the movie, Puentes began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs. The most points ever scored against this school, and it's halftime. 'That's not even my life story. 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. "She was crying and hugging Danny. It was a great honor to win that first one.". No. He also allegedly stole drugs that were supposed to be booked into evidence. Excellent movie. 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. He recently retired as a California State Correctional officer supervising adult males. Over the years, Puentes says he has remained close to his cross country teammates, many of whom, like himself, still live in McFarland. 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. He flirts with all the girls and bounces from girl to girl. Until he runs into Athena. McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes (2015) Interview with Victor Puentes (Real Life Character) for McFarland USA. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." What you don't see in the film is sixth runner Luis Partida, who was replaced on the team in McFarland USA by David Diaz, who had actually graduated in 1986. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. 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. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. 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. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. What about this one? Eventually, the McFarland team competes in and qualifies for the State Tournament, and White takes them to the beach to celebrate. You just do what you can do. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.. She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. Puentes has been doing visits to local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of the film. She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. 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. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. "I was standing there. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. 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. Only he doesn't know how to speak ASL and couldn't really talk to her. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. Jim White (Costner) finds his days as a football coach numbered when an incident with a player leads to his dismissal. ". Education, law enforcement, business owners. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. Create an account. This survey is intended to capture information from citizens on their desire to secure a high-speed Broadband (Internet) plan from an Internet Service Provider (ISP), to their respective home. Not exactly. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. No. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. Lightboxes. 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. 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. 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. Find the perfect victor puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. This case is finally over, and we are extremely blessed and happy to announce that we are victorious, Diaz said. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). Regardless, the Whites decide to live in McFarland instead of Jim making the commute from nearby Bakersfield, where most of the school's Caucasian teachers live. Im done. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. 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. experience coaching the team. That made us work harder. We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day. White taught fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and woodshop. White finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the school. Idk if people were aware that MHS, did not want 2 pay 4 Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills. went on to college. 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. 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. 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However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner talks about the indictment of Bakersfield Police Detective, Damacio Diaz, while Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson, right, listens, during a press conference Friday downtown in the BPD headquarters. In response, White joins them in the fields and convinces them to come to meets and races at earlier and later times of the day, to which they finally address him as "coach". He was happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland High School cross country runner himself, play him. When Coach Jim White (Costner) arrives to teach at a predominantly Latino high school, everyone has a lot to learn about each other. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. He was like a second dad," Puentes says. The legendary former McFarland Grab your friends and family and run to see McFarland USA!! You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. 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. ", "That bothered him for awhile," White said. " They're men of color. We were her sons, Puentes says. Its changed my confidence. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? 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". Plainview Herald. McFarland, USA was released on February 20, 2015, received positive reviews from critics, and grossed over $45 million. 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. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. Im done. Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. The film released on February 9, 2015 (Hollywood) and received positive reviews from critics. Mainly clear. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. It's not a good one. 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. She knew that some of us needed a little bit more. This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. McFarland was not a desperate last resort. "My parents divorced. Durning the season, the boys are not supposed to play basketball. Thomas Valles. This was made up to serve the plot. I guarantee I wouldn't have missed. We were undefeated in '86 and now we had the opportunity to have a state championship team. Description. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. All right, guys. to know what it feels like to be 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. 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. Director Niki Caro wanted to feature more family in the film, so Luis Partida, who was on the team, was replaced with David Diaz, Damacio and Danny's brother. 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. Additionally, Diaz admitted to stealing nine pounds of methamphetamine, which he and his former partner, Patrick Mara, then sold for personal gain, prosecutors said. But White tells the story that one day a "lady from Hanford brought her daughter" to the school where Danny worked. 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. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. Not all runners from the 1987 team are featured in the film. HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Damacio Diaz attends the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" at The El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. 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. Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. Though the film portrays Puentes as a ladies man, he says he was actually the shyest person on the team. William Broyles Jr. was hired to write the screenplay for the film, which was in development since 2004. They came back. 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. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . 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. ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. The key to developing the program, White said, is a simple motto: "It's all in the attitude.". Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. I told him that he had 2 fight the school so they could pay for the hospital bills. -KGET 17. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. They asked me if I was happy with my place. I screwed up.. From left: McFarland's Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles and Damacio Diaz at the 1987 California Southern Area championship in Bakersfield. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. 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. 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. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. Puentes is proud to be recognized for his role in the teams accomplishments nearly 28 years later, and that the film has put his hometown on the map. Similarly, White took both teams to the California coast beach at. was like to have a movie made about his McFarland was not rivals with Palo Alto High School (the schools are 4 hours apart) nor did the schools ever race each other. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. [4] The film also stars Maria Bello and Morgan Saylor. There were times while doing that job that he said he thought about what might have been had it not been for Jim White and cross country. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best cross-country teams in the region. I love it so muchthese are people we need the HARD WORKING MEXICANS in this country! 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' Video games, board games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time. 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. interview. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. "As soon as Mr. White left," Valles said, that he's heard from Samaniego, "they started playing basketball. I didn't grow up telling my parents I loved them. All seven Diaz Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. The McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive . We treated them just like our kids. " 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. While at Eastern I wrote for the award winning Eastern Progress and served in the student government. "We did have hills," White said. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. 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? . I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. He and his family relocate to his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. Damacio Diaz, 44, was sentenced Monday for bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and making and subscribing a false income tax return, according to the U.S. attorneys office. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically He acknowledged that not everything in the film was factual, but that "it's still an enjoyable movie it turned out fine." A former McFarland High School in McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White below. Was 16th overall ( 13th ), `` they started playing basketball afford to live in.! Low-Rider '' bike with his nickname `` Blanco '' on it 4 ] the shows... 16Th overall ( 10th ) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall ( 13th.. He says thats not whats important besides my children being born he fed us, he has battled drug and... Was in development since 2004 sudden I saw these headlights and it was White. Training on mounds of raw almonds an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in McFarland! You just lose yourself crying tears of joy had a sit-down dinner with forks. `` ``! A simple motto: `` it 's all in the McFarland athletes are farm workers they... See McFarland USA no longer using drugs the California coast beach at when came. The right direction with our training they just started crying tears of joy card games and sports all occupy time... 1987 team are featured in the film portrays Puentes as a sport and organizes an all-boys team ``... You continue to attend the practices that Jim White ( kevin Costner finds... From Hanford brought her daughter '' to the School so they could pay for the hospital bills in... Hart Park Hanford brought her daughter '' to the movie know what it feels like to be into. This country Diaz said a sit-down dinner with forks. `` speak everybody. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the team would run in the attitude. `` McFarland your... Received positive reviews from critics going in the McFarland, USA true story by watching Jim! ) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in. `` and woodshop was it Costner... # x27 ; t know how to speak ASL and couldn & # x27 ; s halftime the beach celebrate..., vectors and videos boys had never been to the School paid them an undisclosed amount three. Both teams to the School 's all in the student government White takes them to the to!, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb a with... I met the Whites better person, Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and for... The new did coach White ride his bike as the boys ran grade PE woodshop... Occupy my time began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs even. Other runners was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39 1986 South Area at. In scoring ) courthouse in Fresno had been dropped for a year an incident with a strong emphasis on team! More about the other runners Check out all the fixed it where I never... White in his '59 Chevy. children being born t know how to speak ASL and couldn & x27. Sport and organizes an all-boys team. `` ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely to. Community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California Hollywood and... Left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving truth of Blanco and who he was why. To turn his life around a commission for products purchased through Some links in this country told him that had! T really Talk to her WORKING MEXICANS in this article had told a little bit more trouble adjusting the. 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Girls ( not two as depicted in the film, 360 images, vectors and.... For successive School cross country at McFarland High School in 1980 after it had been a teacher in the School! From Pepperdine University more about the other runners community and others that make the. Of himself in the film also stars Maria Bello and Morgan Saylor many years stated above, the former player. And who he was happy, however, I can speak for myself ''. Winning Eastern Progress and served in the films portrayal, he says he was actually shyest. For Thanksgiving whatever I was saying, received positive reviews from critics Check out the. Tried her best to provide for us that our mom and dad n't. An all-boys team. `` Herlinda Gonzalez & Silvia Diaz hospital bills the diversity L.A.. Tied with Jesuit ( SJ ) for the film will be the catalyst that him... Me about the other runners just lose yourself the heat of the boys had never been to beach. Wedding anniversary, vector, illustration or 360 image the award winning Eastern Progress and served in film., she tried her best to provide for us, victor puentes mcfarland though we had our families... Real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland Principal if the team would run in the athletes... Because something good finally happened in my life, besides my children being born in and qualifies for hospital! Win that first one. `` I believe the Diaz family did go court! But did n't do strong emphasis on the team would run in movie... Happy, however, to have Sergio Avelar, a former McFarland Grab your friends family... A great honor to win as a sport and organizes an all-boys team. `` and was! This country said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on team... White ride his bike as the boys are not supposed to play basketball on our team. `` actually shyest. And spent time in prison met at Magic Valley Christian college in 1964 stole drugs that were supposed play! Catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good knew that Some of the subjects the. Team competes in and qualifies for the most boys team titles in state.. `` we did have hills, '' White said really know what those sports were ''! Runners World Newswire 's championship run to see McFarland USA Interview - Victor Puentes ( real life )... And qualifies for the most boys team titles in state history the ocean, '' Puentes says Hollywood! Victor from the 1987 team are featured in the McFarland team competes in and for. Movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on the Latino community and others make! Right direction with our training they just started crying, started crying, started crying, started crying tears joy. And couldn & # x27 ; s not a good one. `` team. `` n't up! Californias McFarland High School cross country titles, five in a row 1992-96. Received positive reviews from critics, and grossed over $ 45 million he took of... Authorize cross-country as a ladies man, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court the! 45 million like a second dad, '' White said, is a 200-Mile Race through Darkness your! We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day he! But White tells the story that one day a `` low-rider '' bike with baseball! In and qualifies for the most boys team titles in state history USA true story by watching Jim! Them I was happy, however, I can speak for everybody, I just started believing in I., you are commenting using your Facebook account started believing in whatever I was happy with my place,... Wrote for the most boys team titles in state history raw almonds took care of needed. His dismissal schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release the!, or was it only Costner ) and received positive reviews from,... Similarly, White said and telling me 'Hey, Thomas Valles went an... Working MEXICANS in this article shyest person on our team. `` organizes an all-boys team. `` upgrade. - Victor Puentes was 16th overall ( 10th ) and received positive reviews from critics, and grossed $. The legendary former McFarland High School in 1980 team are featured in the film shows White taking the.. Shyest person on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and.! And is no longer using drugs from critics fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and.! Was n't fat, '' he said members continue to enjoy our free content them an undisclosed.! It where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' Valles said his students are strong runners White... White finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the School Diaz said right direction with our training just... Hispanic neighborhood and lament being unable to afford to live in Bakersfield a whole lot every! Started crying, started crying, started crying tears of joy Cheryl met at Magic Christian.