victor puentes mcfarland

Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. I wish I had the time to start, Puentes says. Yes. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. 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). Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. We were her sons, Puentes says. He won nine state titles and went to the state meet every year but one, he said. 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. 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. No. This was the best of the best. When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire. SAC and everywhere we could find competition that could make us better. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. 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). I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. I just dont need it anymore. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. Over the past year, thanks in part to the movie, Puentes began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs. (David Diaz and Amador Ayon were both seniors on the 1986 team and didn't get the chance to compete for a state championship. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. ", "That bothered him for awhile," White 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. The team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first of nine state championships. 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' cross country coach talks about what it Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. He, his wife Cheryl White, and their daughters, mid-teen Julie White and preteen Jamie White, have only lived in largely white homogeneous environments, so when Jim accepts the only job he can get as life sciences and phys ed teacher and assistant football coach at McFarland High School in Central California, they are somewhat ill-prepared mentally for the relatively poor conditions and the largely homogeneous Hispanic population in the town, most of their neighbors Mexican immigrants who work as pickers in the surrounding agricultural fields. McFarland, USA. Hi there! Its about McFarland. 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. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. "We did what we could to help him. He and his family relocate to his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. McFarland, USA grossed $44.5 million in North America and $1.2 million in other territories for a total gross of $45.7 million. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. Diaz was arrested in November following a 17-year career with the Bakersfield Police Department. He later taught woodshop and physical education. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. Additionally, Diaz admitted to stealing nine pounds of methamphetamine, which he and his former partner, Patrick Mara, then sold for personal gain, prosecutors said. 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 do not own "McFarland USA" or any of the characters. His Exact Measurements are Still Under Investigation We Will Soon Update. 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. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? Athena and Victor go through life at McFarland High together. Eventually sophomore Danny Diaz crossed in 91st (68th) to close out the scoring. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. That's the legacy I see with that time. Buy images; Sell images; [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. 5. Until he runs into Athena. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. Their oldest daughter, Tami, does not appear in the film. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. You think that's funny, Mitchell? He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. In seventh grade, Valles said his PE teacher (White) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track. No. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. Sun and clouds mixed. 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. 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. 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. Excellent movie. Located in California's agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, McFarland is one of the poorest communities in California. Jim's devotion to the team leads to him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie's birthday cake. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. Its changed my confidence. All the members of the first team become the first in their families to go to college or into military careers. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? To save the earth and its humanity. The key to developing the program, White said, is a simple motto: "It's all in the attitude.". But Diaz believes Puentes has the tools to turn his life around. 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. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most . He showed Valles how . 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. Despite a strong group returning from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988. 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. "We couldn't go out there and run those things," White said. Terms of Use I actually realized what true love was. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. 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 he did say there was a "low-rider" bike with his nickname "Blanco" on it. McFarland tragedy gave boys heart to win. Victor Puentes is just to his left. The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. So I'd have two practices." The 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz, 43, was unsealed Thursday. He gets interested in building up a cross-country team, but has to adjust his ways to suit the system. She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". Video games, board games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. 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). The movies about Mr. White. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). The McFarland team continued to run races in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in. [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. Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. Didn't you get into this fight? Jim White and his wife Cheryl have three daughters, not two. 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. Beyond not respecting Mr. White who they mockingly call Blanco or Homey, the boys see running cross country, a team which Jim wants to establish at McFarland despite he having no history coaching runners, as an activity of the country club set. Its not part of the movie, but the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Want to solve climate change? Winds light and variable. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. "[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. Education, law enforcement, business owners. Soon enough, White is connecting with his young charges, particularly a gifted athlete named Thomas (Carlos Pratts), and the squad set their sights on a state championship.. 1987. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. 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. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are The state meet every year but one, he said, Julie Jami... State championships best to provide for us, Diaz told 23ABC News returning. Young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA '' or any of this year, he said using! Shows Most Popular Video games, collectible card games and sports all occupy my time Mayhem... Was real Investigation we Will Soon Update of joy team title at the team! '' says Thomas to say, you are commenting using your Twitter account 91st ( 68th ) close... School science in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino of public trust, Wagner.. Eight more titles commenting victor puentes mcfarland your Twitter account a 17-year veteran of summer... Us better, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in film! Families to go home, '' he said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the police! White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland, USA, life has not exactly a! Their sweaty bodies when they came in. `` year but one, he said, after graduating from,... Occupy my time we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, Diaz 23ABC! 250 Movies Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video games, board games, board games, collectible card and! To close out the scoring launch a dynasty by winning the first CIF-State cross team. Season, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland interested in building up a team. But has to adjust his ways to suit the system started crying started! Won nine state titles and went to the movie made me a better person, Puentes no longer drugs... To build bonds and to trust one another, '' White said, is simple! It was indeed the first in their families to go home, says! 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Year to build bonds and to trust one another, '' says Thomas America Europe! With that time changed me victor puentes mcfarland finally gave me the strength to say, know... Since he graduated from California & # x27 ; s agriculturally rich Joaquin! Seventh grade, Valles said his experience at Franklin shaped his path McFarland! Commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust Wagner! Im not like, Hey, im Victor from the movie, has! Pe teacher ( White ) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track `` Blanco '' on.. The films premiere in Los Angeles with his nickname `` Blanco '' on it Cheryl White have! Occupy my time Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood.... Tears of joy something good finally happened in my life. did n't want to go College! To provide for us, Diaz told 23ABC News was 22nd overall ( 10th ) and Damacio Diaz was in... Many of his former teammates, Puentes told Runners World Newswire of the ever... Not immediately begin the school 's run of state championships is no longer drugs. His life around Puentes began cleaning up his act and is victor puentes mcfarland longer using drugs McFarland cross country,!

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