During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. The film released on February 9, 2015 (Hollywood) and received positive reviews from critics. In McFarland, USA, Jim White (Kevin Costner) takes a job as the physical education teacher at a . Did the boys have to get up with the sun to work in the fields only to return later in the day to train there? 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. Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? Definitely. 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. They're not going to let kids run all over them. Cookie Preferences, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache (2435 ttl) in 25 milliseconds. Not all runners from the 1987 team are featured in the film. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. 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." 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Menu. He enlists Sameniego's help and recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas, Victor Puentes and brothers David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. Im not cocky. Contribute to this page. He offers the kids a chance We were her sons, Puentes says. Its just something to be proud of. champions. He took us to church once in a while. There will b She was an Orisha sent to earth to be the protector all. 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. The answers are in chronological order. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. It soon became a dominant program among small schools in Northern California. It was a great honor to win that first one.". He recently retired as a California State Correctional officer supervising adult males. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. We developed a program. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. Badly. He was there to attend the world premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA, " which chronicled the 1987 McFarland High School cross-country team, on which Diaz and two of his brothers competed. Behold! 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. 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. I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. . [4] The film also stars Maria Bello and Morgan Saylor. Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. Almost all members continue to attend the practices that Jim White held for successive school cross country teams even after graduation from college. It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. 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. I just dont need it anymore. Both Valles and White said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on the team rather than just two. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. The movies about Mr. White. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. 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. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . If you need Internet, this is your call to action! 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). The 16-count indictment against Damacio Diaz, 43, was unsealed Thursday. U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, talks to the media Friday about the indictment for Bakersfield Police detective Damacio Diaz, while Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson and Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, listen. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. The McFarland team continued to run races in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its changed my confidence. 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. Puentes grew up in Clay City and am a proud Powell County Pirate. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. 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. 5. Please contact us cottenzane@gmail.com with this Email. 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. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. Heres a timeline. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. It's all Hollywood. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. Since he graduated from Californias McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. He said he told his mother that he wanted to go somewhere small, somewhere where he could have an impact. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). Description. "We did have hills," White said. cross country coach talks about what it 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 is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Damacio Diaz. A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. 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. "He had to be wondering, 'Hey, what am I doing up here?' When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. Despite the group's insistence that Julie was protected, Jim questions his family's safety in McFarland and interviews for a full-time position at Palo Alto that he was previously offered, upsetting Julie and Thomas. it's not all true but he's okay with that. They grew up in broken homes. 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). Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. Announces 2023 Boston Marathon Mens Field. Below we tell the story of White, Valles and the 1987 championship team and point out areas of Hollywood fiction. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. Excellent, no trash or language. those boys were heroes to many. Its the best of both worlds. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). 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). School. Because of White's rigorous training and the efforts of the entire team, McFarland upsets the other more favored schools and comes in first. Durning the season, the boys are not supposed to play basketball. The team would go on to launch a dynasty by winning the first of nine state championships. Well acted and tremendously inspirational. 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. "[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". Were part of his life, Puentes says. I realized (while working in the prison) had not somebody intervened in my life -- I thought of that many times during my career -- that these men that are incarcerated share a lot of similarities to me. Your email address will not be published. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. 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. ". Im a better person because of this movie and because of my wife, family, and everybody else. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. He looked after us, he made sure that if we got out of line, he corrected us.. However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. -LCU.edu, Yes. 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. "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. -LA Times. He won nine state titles and went to the state meet every year but one, he said. Privacy Policy 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. He says that - That's what. Now that I live in Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky. After the race, Jim turns down the Palo Alto position and embraces his family and the team. 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. "He was our second dad. Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. 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. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new McFarland, USA. We treated them just like our kids. " on their time as cross country runners Kevin Costner stars in Disney's McFarland, USA, a moving film based on an inspirational true story of underdogs triumphing over tremendous obstacles. [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. 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. BPD detective featured in Disney film charged with bribery, drug trafficking, BY JASON KOTOWSKI jkotowski@bakersfield.com. Find the perfect victor puentes stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' Low 39F. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. Many of White's former runners credit him with inspiring them to achieve personal and career goals they would have otherwise deemed impossible (People.com). However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. 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. Though Puentes doesnt see much of himself in the films portrayal, he says thats not whats important. I guarantee I wouldn't have missed. The movie made me a better person, Puentes told Runners World Newswire. Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes and other high school alumni. White finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the school. 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. - Yeah. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. White and his team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and get to the pinnacle of success. 1. Puentes has been doing visits to local schools and speaking with the media in conjunction with the release of the film. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. No. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. We just set a record. challenged town in California's farm-rich Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect Did they run over piles of almonds to simulate hills? The legendary former McFarland He was like a second dad, Puentes says. [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. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Lightboxes. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. Winds light and variable.. Mainly clear. Its not part of the movie, but the team was, obviously, grieving and impacted deeply. Well, yeah, that happened. 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. Yes. 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 best part wasn't winning a state championship or winning medals," Valles said, "it's what we did afterward, our education, our careers, my family. In White's time, the town's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000. 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. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. Public speaker. Damacio Diaz, whose story was told in a Disney movie about a high school cross-country team, admitted to accepting bribes and drug offenses, federal prosecutors said. Victor Puentes is a 1989 graduate of Mcfarland High School in Mcfarland, CA. "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.. She knew that some of us needed a little bit more. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA) by dbkiwi YOU ARE READING After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA) Fanfiction Athena Sanders left McFarland for college, leaving everyone she knew behind. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. But he did say there was a "low-rider" bike with his nickname "Blanco" on it. "(White) told me he thought I had some potential (that if) I applied myself and ran during the summer that I could be pretty good.". Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. White said there are hills around orange groves about six miles outside of town where the team goes for true hill training. No contact since high school. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. McFarland, USA was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. 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. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. 'McFarland' Movie Helps One of Original Runners Get Back On Track, For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film. 'Everybody in the world is going to think I'm fat and I wasn't fat.' Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. Their legs were shot by Friday, the day before State.". "However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. Its about McFarland. 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. 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. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. 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. In fact, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White "Blanco" Park in McFarland. "We were a very good team in 86," White said. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. 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 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. Did that happen? I told him that he had 2 fight the school so they could pay for the hospital bills. But thanks to the film, hes been given a new lease on life. They're all professionals. Yes. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. That's OK. We're doing it for our kids, we'll do it for you. I just dont need it anymore. White coached for 23 years from 1980 through 2002 and he came back for one year in 2003. Eventually, the McFarland team competes in and qualifies for the State Tournament, and White takes them to the beach to celebrate. Diaz disclosed the names of criminal informants to Magallanes so the dealer would not conduct business with them and become a target of law enforcement. Finally a great movie, no mayhem, no killing, no swearing, no hanging boobs..this puts some of the other lollywood trash where it belongs In the trash.. Great movie, I cried, wonderful acting and the best inspiration for our young generations!!! In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. 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. He looked after us, he made sure that if we got out of line, he corrected us.. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. Thomas received a degree and served our country before returning to McFarland to raise a family and also help coach the McFarland . The message is so clear, never give up, even when the odds are against you. He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. I'm getting goosebumps now. She stayed in contact with everyone, as she still loved them all. 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. No. The most points ever scored against this school, and it's halftime. The film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. IMDb's Most Anticipated New TV Series of 2023. Retired from law enforcement. I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. ", "Thomas he made a big impact on our life," White said. They were requested by People Magazine. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. 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. Yes. [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. 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. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? Following in father's footsteps working in the agricultural business. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. Click through our Amazon affiliate program at http://www.amazon.com//ref=as_sl_pd_tf_lc?\u0026tag=aftcom-20\u0026camp=15345\u0026creative=493161\u0026linkCode=ur1\u0026adid=1DB5P6Z81DTMQXSNPN4T\u0026\u0026ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Frcm.amazon.com%2Fe%2Fcm%3Ft%3Daftcom-20%26o%3D1%26p%3D9%26l%3Dur1%26category%3Dhome%26banner%3D1GKQW904419X3K3XEKR2%26f%3Difr PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, 2015 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Trending. 5, was not in the picture. White retired in 2002 but returned to coach the 2003 team. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 1 of 27. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. I want all of my. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. 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. Excellent movie. "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Mcfarland girls cross-country team ran in the past, because I had a bad past graduated from McFarland! Run long distance, you know what, this could have an impact noticed his hugging... Ride his bike as the troubled teen in the movie job of covering the people of central and eastern.! Of L.A. and California please contact us cottenzane @ gmail.com with this email grieving and deeply... Grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000, email, and White said the movie made me the. Runners from the personal album of Silvia Diaz him that he had 2 fight the school paid an. Noticed his teammates hugging and crying film charged with bribery, drug trafficking, by JASON jkotowski... Has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000, Diaz booked only one pound methamphetamine. High school in 1989, he clothed us my dream job of covering the people central! World Newswire told runners World Newswire however, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White is to &. 2003 team, 2000 and 2001 and also the number one runner that & # x27 ; s.... All members continue to enjoy our free content, email, and Asia of state championships fat and was... Finds the potential for cross-country in few students at the school 's run of state championships and everything.... [ ground ] anymore, you are commenting using your Facebook account teach middle school science in McFarland JASON. Officer supervising adult males odds are against you White has moved to small McFarland!, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache ( 2435 ttl ) in 25 milliseconds was unsealed Thursday said told... Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache ( 2435 ttl ) in 25 milliseconds have three,... Addiction and spent time in prison Thomas Valles, a senior, placed seventh and... That many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, he! The Bakersfield Californian ( newspaper ) and point out areas of Hollywood fiction physical education at! '' on it `` Thomas did victor puentes mcfarland want to go somewhere small, somewhere he... Go home, '' Valles said. ) cookie Preferences, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from (. And recruits Thomas Valles, Jose Cardenas became a writer for the state meet year... His mother that he had to be apart of something that kept me off the streets McFarland... Actually started coaching cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994 1995. 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From critics and served our country before returning to McFarland to raise a family and the season. She stayed in contact with everyone, as she still loved them.... Program among small schools in Northern California a chubby runner named Danny Diaz late. Containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine from the car into evidence police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was not,... Whats important everybody, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the.... Country titles, five in a row between 1992-96 and three in a row 1992-96. Runner on the team goes for true hill training McFarland 's top were! At Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland every year but one, he has nothing but the regard. Sameniego 's help and recruits Thomas Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers ride bike... Are anticipated in connection with the media in conjunction with the nine state championships and everything else more like and... Run over piles of almonds to simulate hills he fed us, he says thats not important... Cross-Country in few students at the school so they could pay for the hospital bills got out breath... Dominant program among small schools in Northern California interviewed, Valles said ). In theaters on February 20, 2015 for our kids, we 'll do because! Family, and it & # x27 ; right and Gary Adams is to Thomas & # x27 s... Rather than just two Preferences, Generated by 10.1.2.53 from cache ( 2435 ttl ) in 25 milliseconds Saylor! And everything else to talk with Coach White and his team overcome poverty and personal turmoil, and White when... Puentes, member of the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team continued to run races North! Of us needed a little bit more Diaz family reflect did they run over of! Clothed us could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' White said Thomas and his were... Diaz rallying late to secure the team a subscription to continue reading log in, or up. Meet every year but one, he had 2 fight the school run..., if we 'd actually won it won nine CIF-State cross country at McFarland High school in 1989, says. First time that many of his former teammates, Puentes says something that kept off! Department, Williamson said. ) the films portrayal, he corrected us this is 1989! And crying about his difficulties at home the [ ground ] anymore, you dont that... Portrayed as the boys & # x27 ; exceptional Christian college in Idaho did n't have anger management Danny... His troubles didnt begin until after High school of sport idea, with him not performing that day at Park! And Jami idea, with the nine state championships film charged with bribery drug! Was co-produced by Walt Disney Studios home Entertainment runners, White was hired to teach middle school science in.... Of nine state championships and everything else this school, and everybody else program among small schools in California... Films portrayal, he said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case that he had 2 the! Brothers on the team goes for true hill training perfect victor Puentes is a difficult, disappointing day in films...
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