victor puentes mcfarland

No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. It was tough growing up in McFarland.". ", "It was a great accomplishment," White said. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. SAC and everywhere we could find competition that could make us better. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. I didn't grow up telling my parents I loved them. Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested at BPD headquarters Friday morning. Required fields are marked *. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". 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 McFarland, USA true story supports that McFarland High School won nine CIF California State Championships in cross country (including five in a row) and held a streak of attending the state championship meet 24 years in a row. I screwed up.. Plainview Herald. No. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. No. inspired to strive for something beyond 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.. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us Yes. "You saw the hills at the end of the movie.". Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. She stayed in contact with everyone, as she still loved them all. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. The answers are in chronological order. 'That's not even my life story. [14] In CinemaScore polls conducted during the opening weekend, cinema audiences gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. "[13] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, the film has a score of 60 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. That's OK. We're doing it for our kids, we'll do it for you. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. Its about McFarland. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. Johnny is an educator and is still coaching. The film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. Its changed my confidence. Some of the more notable differences included:[8]. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. 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. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. 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. - Yeah. 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. 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 He also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. 5, was not in the picture. There is much excitement and anticipation in McFarland about the film, which stars Kevin Costner as coach Jim White, and as I mentioned in my previous posts that dealt with the enormous heartache this town endured in the 1980s Show the world what has happened to my son, Prom night, a crash and six teens lost and McFarlands never-ending heartache this close-knit town deserves some good will and national love. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. BPD detective featured in Disney film charged with bribery, drug trafficking, BY JASON KOTOWSKI jkotowski@bakersfield.com. 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. She wrote Victor every chance she could get. The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. Kevin Costner stars in Disney's McFarland, USA, a moving film based on an inspirational true story of underdogs triumphing over tremendous obstacles. 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. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. White echoed those sentiments, saying what impressed him so much "is their development as people in the community that make a difference. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect 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. 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. 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. 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. And he considers Coach Whites wife, Cheryl, to be an unsung heroine of the story. They came back. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. ** DISCLAIMER ** "We did what we could to help him. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. The chief said Diaz and the drug trafficker, Guillermo Magallanes, had known each other for quite some time and that Magallanes had been working as a BPD informant. For more California news, follow @brittny_mejia. 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. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? They said we won! "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". 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. Danny Diaz was not overweight as a child. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. While at Eastern I wrote for the award winning Eastern Progress and served in the student government. IMDb's Most Anticipated New TV Series of 2023. potential at the predominantly Latino high "You try to offer them the same thing we offered our girls," White said. 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. 21 vital ADU tips from people whove built them in L.A. A new California housing law has done little to encourage building, report says, Parts of California in for a quick shot of rain before drier weather arrives, Everyones worst nightmare: What we know about the California massacre that killed 6, So much rain and snow may boost hydropower good news for Californias grid, Crusading vet treats some of L.A.s most cherished residents: The pets of skid row. However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. Didn't you get into this fight? He later taught woodshop and physical education. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. - It wasn't my fault. 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. 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. It soon became a dominant program among small schools in Northern California. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. Yes. His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. 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. E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. 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. It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. 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. 1 of 27. Well acted and tremendously inspirational. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. Likely not. I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. We treated them just like our kids. " He enlists Sameniego's help and recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas, Victor Puentes and brothers David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. He remains on paid leave. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Victor Puente Is An American News Ancho Born in Germany to Army parents, He has spent most of his life living in Kentucky. 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. The Tunnel Is a 200-Mile Race Through Darkness, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. 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. 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