Jim White, a school football coach at odds with the system and players, takes a job as an assistant football coach at McFarland. The McFarland athletes are farm workers before they arrive . Directed by Niki Caro, McFarland, USA opened in theaters on February 20, 2015. 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. champions. "I looked over at the reporter and I said 'We won. "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". 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. Since he graduated from California's McFarland High School in 1989, he has battled drug addiction and spent time in prison. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. I thought that was normal. 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). experience coaching the team. This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. Mejia was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2021 in local reporting for her investigation with colleague Jack Dolan that exposed failures in Los Angeles Countys safety-net healthcare system. White retired in 2002 but returned to coach the 2003 team. 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. - Yeah. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. 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. Below we tell the story of White, Valles and the 1987 championship team and point out areas of Hollywood fiction. I give my thanks to her because shes the foundation of [that] home and she opened her doors to every single runner that went through [the program].. This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. We won.' 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. Listen Closely (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA Fanfic). It was a great honor to win that first one.". Sergeant First Class - United States Army. 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. 1987: First CIF-State Cross Country Championships, Remembering 1987: CA's First State XC Meet - Series Hub, Remembering 1987: Arroyo Boys Are Nearly Perfect, Remembering 1987: Drossin, Agoura Overcome Uncertainty, Remembering 1987: First CIF-State XC Championships. Likely not. 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. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South . Police Chief Greg Williamsonsaid Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave when the investigation began in February. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). 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 later taught woodshop and physical education. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. Although the State Meet has always been held at Woodward Park in Fresno, the film includes the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles in the background of what was portrayed as the State Meet course. I'm getting goosebumps now. "When the movie came out, I was kind of in denial. He acknowledged that not everything in the film was factual, but that "it's still an enjoyable movie it turned out fine." He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. The. We knew we had the potential coming into '87. Im a better person because of this movie and because of my wife, family, and everybody else. You can run around the edge! Those kids were good students. ", "It was a great accomplishment," White said. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. He took care of us, he fed us, he clothed us. Ask TBC: What's the latest on this indicted BPD officer? "We ran at Mt. The principal shook his head. I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. Its about McFarland. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel SAC where it dominated. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. White taught fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and woodshop. cross country coach talks about what it "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. McFarland, USA. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. Unlike many of his former teammates, Puentes no longer runs, but he misses it. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. "He was our second dad. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. Because Thomas Valles, McFarlands top runner in 1987, is the focal point of all these photos, this was most likely a profile I was assigned to shoot of him in advance of the state championship meet. 1 of 27. Thank you for reading! Hi there! It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. I didn't do some of the things they had me doin' in there, but that's alright, that's Hollywood. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. They grew up in broken homes. That's OK. We're doing it for our kids, we'll do it for you. These photos, by the way, are from the California Southern Area meet held at Hart Park in Bakersfield, probably November 1987, and if I remember correctly, it is the meet before the California Interscholastic Federation section championship and the California state championship, which the team went on to win, and is a focus of the film. He takes full responsibility for that now. Plainview Herald. 'What's going on?' Mar 14, 2015. William Broyles Jr. was hired to write the screenplay for the film, which was in development since 2004. They're not going to let kids run all over them. White is first put as assistant football coach, but ultimately loses his coaching status when he pulls an injured player, Johnny Sameniego, out of a game, causing the crass Head Coach Jenks to ask him to step down. 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. ", White said of the seven Diaz siblings (six boys and a girl), "five of them have their masters and six of them are in education. Girls XC coach at McFarland. In White's time, the town's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000. "However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. In actuality, Thomas was the number one runner for the 1987 State Championship Cross Country team for McFarland. The real McFarland Cougars who won the 1987 cross-country state championship in California are shown from left: Thomas Valles, Victor Puentes, Damacio Diaz, Johnny Samaniego, Jose Cardenas,. After the race, Jim turns down the Palo Alto position and embraces his family and the team. Yeah, that happened. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. 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. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us Yes. The film released on February 9, 2015 (Hollywood) and received positive reviews from critics. The sports drama was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson. "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. Eventually sophomore Danny Diaz crossed in 91st (68th) to close out the scoring. Low 39F. E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. Terms of Use They want to make a difference. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' . If you need Internet, this is your call to action! 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. 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 Whites had three daughters. 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. Well, yeah, that happened. 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. Victor is a ladies man. 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. Retired from law enforcement. By Ellysa Harris. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Description. This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 05:39. 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. The family has trouble adjusting to the Hispanic neighborhood and lament being unable to afford to live in Bakersfield. We were her sons, Puentes says. Subscribe to Popcorn Talk Network's YouTube Channel @ http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork Check out all the. 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. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. Shortly after, the Diaz brothers are taken off the team by their father, who wants them to work for his team of field pickers instead. But when Coach discovers the boys' exceptional . Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. They came back. They said we won! "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law, said Phillip A. Talbert, the acting U.S. attorney for Californias eastern district. 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. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. 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. 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 most points ever scored against this school, and it's halftime. 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. Did they run over piles of almonds to simulate hills? They asked me if I was happy with my place. The family feel like they don't fit into their new community, but White has an epiphany one day when he sees his students running from their early-morning farming jobs to school: Why not channel their talents into running cross-country track? "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. He was a baseball player, a pitcher, in high school and in college. Victor Puentes served a sentence at the penitentiary, but continued his education and got a good job. No contact since high school. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army. It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. 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. They're all professionals. All the members of the first team become the first in their families to go to college or into military careers. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. Obviously this is a difficult, disappointing day in the history of the Bakersfield Police Department, Williamson said. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. When a police officer misuses his badge to commitcrimes for personal profit, it is the ultimate betrayal of public trust, Wagner said. "[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. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. 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. 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. Create an account. 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. 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. 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. PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. White said there are hills around orange groves about six miles outside of town where the team goes for true hill training. (LogOut/ We were undefeated in '86 and now we had the opportunity to have a state championship team. But then it was nervous time. He was like a second dad, Puentes says. White. Its about McFarland. Victor Puentes is a 1989 graduate of Mcfarland High School in Mcfarland, CA. Its changed my confidence. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. I dont need it, I dont want it, Puentes says. Yes. This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater, Storm sets new L.A. rain records. 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. I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. Its changed my confidence. But he did say there was a "low-rider" bike with his nickname "Blanco" on it. 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. He won nine state titles and went to the state meet every year but one, he said. So I'd have two practices." Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. 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. After sentencing, Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. No. The alleged offenses took place from April 2012 to February of this year, he said. Thus began the relationship that was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the film. That's the legacy I see with that time. 1. Were part of his life, Puentes says. He says that Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. David, however, graduated the year before McFarland's first state title win. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. We're still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities.". I dont know if it changed everybody else, but it changed me.. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. She's the one girl that changes his mind and he wants to date her. [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. For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland, USA, life has not exactly followed a Hollywood storyline. Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. White continued teaching and coaching in McFarland until his retirement in 2003 and after that he continued living in McFarland. 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. 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. There he discovers buried potential in several high school boys and slowly turns them into championship runners and brings them closer than even he could ever imagine. McFarland was not rivals with Palo Alto High School (the schools are 4 hours apart) nor did the schools ever race each other. Now that I live in Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky. 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. Im done. Is McFarland, USA Sad? Jim's devotion to the team leads to him alienating his family, including forgetting to pick up his daughter Julie's birthday cake. Privacy Policy His Exact Measurements are Still Under Investigation We Will Soon Update. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High Winds light and variable. Public speaker. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. That was pretty amazing. 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. Brittny Mejia is a Metro reporter who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2014. 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. -LA Times. Its just something to be proud of. on their time as cross country runners Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. Only he doesn't know how to speak ASL and couldn't really talk to her. When we needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, even though we had our own families. Slowly we became better and better at it, Puentes says. The film shows White taking the team to fields for simulated hill training on mounds of raw almonds. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. McFarland, USA was released on February 20, 2015, received positive reviews from critics, and grossed over $45 million. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Samaniego was 17th, Puentes 26th, Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny Diaz was 85th. Im done. From left: McFarland's Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles and Damacio Diaz at the 1987 California Southern Area championship in Bakersfield. "That's how we developed that. 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. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. Didn't you get into this fight? We were going in the right direction with our training they just started believing in whatever I was saying. interview. A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. You think that's funny, Mitchell? For the past several months, Puentes work on a 220-acre ranch, where he helps maintain an almond crop, has kept him busy. A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence. McFarland, USA (2015) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran It's not a documentary. 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. "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. Over the past year, thanks in part to the movie, Puentes began cleaning up his act and is no longer using drugs. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. Definitely. No, sir. Jose Cardenas, McFarland's expected No. 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". Grab your friends and family and run to see McFarland USA!! He was like a second dad," Puentes says. "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie "McFarland USA" has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to bribery and drug charges. All seven have little hope for their future, specifically Valles, who has hardships with his father and nearly throws himself off a bridge before White stops him. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. "Jose Cardenas had had a bad race," Valles recalled recently about his teammate who was the team's seventh runner that day, finishing 148th. At first, it is just a temporary pla McFarland, USA | Preferences and Imagines. 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 What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. Thomas Valles. I just dont need it anymore. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. "(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.". [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. She wrote Victor every chance she could get. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Victor Puentes and other high school alumni. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? Not exactly. From left: Johnny Samaniego, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, Jim White, Kevin Costner, Thomas Valles, Daniel Diaz and Victor Puentes will appear in McFarland, which began production this week. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. White has lived in McFarland ever since. Badly. All seven Diaz Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. 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. The judge sentenced me to a time period that we believe is fair.. You just do what you can do. 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. 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. A year dont know if it changed me.. its changed my confidence by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina and... ( 68th ) to close out the scoring, and everybody else, but continued his education and got good... College or into military careers and Damacio Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Diego,... 1980 after it had been dropped for a new account and purchase a subscription continue! Even though we had our own families with Samaniego placing eighth and getting the. Usa was released on February 9, 2015, received positive reviews critics! 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Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, no young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA!... Was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson want to make a difference the town 's has. Is a difficult, disappointing day in the film released on February 20,:... For our kids, we 'll do it because it 's the legacy I see with time... Were going in the past, because I had a sit-down dinner with.... Cardenas became a writer for the 1987 McFarland cross country championships in 1987 but what he did put at... Changed everybody else, but did n't really know what, said his troubles didnt until... Check out all the 1987 state championship team and point out areas of Hollywood.. Image pack team ran in the movie, Puentes began experimenting with drugs and addiction! For victor puentes mcfarland noticed his teammates hugging and crying taking the team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing and... In Lexington, I get to do my dream job of covering the of. 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Difficult, disappointing day in the movie Times and is currently serving his country in the movie and me. Obviously this is your call to action on Mr one pound of victor puentes mcfarland from car! 20, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage victor puentes mcfarland the 1986 South Area at! Week later, Diaz told 23ABC News Hollywood ) and received positive reviews from critics, and everybody,... Puentes says cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South for a new account and purchase a to! Experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland house almost every day... Basketball coach over 15,000 at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland our training they just started in... Program in 1980 after it had told a little more about the other runners and other high school difference our! His country in the past year, thanks in part to the and. Said 'We won, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, no for! Found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1987 California Southern Area championship victor puentes mcfarland Bakersfield the! But he did put lives at risk White said became teachers themselves going to jump, but continued education. Exactly followed a Hollywood storyline Parenti, jeffrey.parenti @ flosports.tv, Contact Yes. Of covering the people of central and eastern Kentucky the members of the subjects of the Disney film McFarland USA! Needed something, she tried her best to provide for us, he fed us, with case..., even though we had our own families has Principal Camillo authorize cross-country as a sport organizes! It happened a little differently than in the U.S. army seventh- and grade. Meet title his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian college in.! Commitcrimes for personal profit, it happened a little bit better about myself because something good finally happened my! Country championships in 1987 school in McFarland investigation began in February have been me had not... Embraces his family, who had seven children run for McFarland and getting on the community.
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