-KGET 17, Yes. One day his mom had enough, he recalled. They were requested by People Magazine. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. Diaz, now a vice principal at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, says he regrets taking Herlinda's upbeat nature for granted. Looking back, he said, his teammates helped him come to the realization that he was in denial. A cleat, a shoe 2. "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". Julie White plays the character of Maggie Shaw. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Subject from McFarland USA shares life story, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road. Did that happen? My most memorable moments with her were the bus rides to away races. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. By Carlo Vellandi Nov 22, 2022. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. Plainview teen preparing to take Houston Rodeo entertainment stage with Castillo game-winner sends Floydada to regional semi-finals, Sam Elliott award winner for male actor in "1883", High winds, lots of dirt cause havoc across Plainview, Texas bluebonnet season is almost here. That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. What the movie does get right is the life-changing team atmosphere and support that Valles and his teammates received. Hes aware that someone in his position could get quite the ego, but Valles tries to stay grounded. This was out of the ordinary.". At the Kern Invitational on Nov. 1, 1986, five days after the accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz, Thomas Valles prays before the start of the boys race. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. Many students were touched. "All my teammates are still here. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. Here are five things that you may or may not have known about Julie White: Grew Up in Austin, TX. Everybody has a Mr. White, Valles said. Little did I know that was our goodbye. We treated them just like our kids. " This is a carousel. "My parents divorced. I love it so muchthese are people we need the HARD WORKING MEXICANS in this country! Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. what happened to thomas valles and julie white. I broke my moms heart at 13, he told the kids. "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. Kalynn White: ASC Operations Coordinator . His response, Well, they're not just my friends. Because of running and thanks to White, Valles consistently came in at the top at every cross country meet and maintained good enough grades to get him in to college. "He's the one who . It reminds me of another good one, Glory Road. A recent gathering of Norma Lopez Takahashi, Flora Diaz and Dolores Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz's photo album. 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). PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White As part of our series looking back at that first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987, we also wanted to provide some clarity between Hollywood's version of the story, depicted in the popular McFarland USA, and the McFarland High boys cross country team coached by Jim White. My parents always encouraged us to work hard.. Privacy Policy Especially when you travel, people treat you like youre important, Valles said. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. Sylvia Diaz's senior portrait in the 1986-87 McFarland High School yearbook. For 15 years, actress Pauley Perrette delighted fans as the surprisingly bubbly goth forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on the CBS crime procedural NCIS. | In seventh grade, Valles said his PE teacher (White) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track. He tried to keep to a straight and narrow path for his moms sake, for Whites sake and for the sake of not becoming like his father. No. From left: Eva Renteria, Hollie Wykoff, Delfina Herrera, Maria Herrera, Alicia Herrera, Tammy Carter, Norma Torres and coach Gary Pierson. He might have been one of them had somebody who cared not intervened in his life. They're not going to let kids run all over them. In reality, Valles and his family moved to McFarland in 1974, and he grew up working in the fields with his parents. Her first appearance on the show features in episode 6 - titled 'The Tourist . Victor Puentes is just to his left. What did Coach White throw at the football player inside the locker room? They said we won! Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. White retired in 2002 but returned to coach the 2003 team. Higher wind gusts possible.. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. I was assigned to cover two of McFarland's races following the accident. Well acted and tremendously inspirational. Standing, from left: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres, Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera and coach Jim White. Et que tu t'enfuies la queue entre les jambes aprs qu'on t'ait expropri pour rcuprer notre d, celui que ta classe exploiteuse nous a vol ! Diaz, and father and mother Paul and As a boy, Thomas Valles could never have imagined that his running ability would shape the . We thought that was normal, Valles said. 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. During the beach trip in 1985 when coach Jim White took the team to Cayucos following the Santa Maria Invitational, Herlinda Gonzalez wrote "MHS #1" in the sand. After speaking, and as the class left, a young man approached Valles to thank him and tell him that his story was very similar. It was a gesture by runner Hollie Wykoff's mom to help the girls feel better as they dealt with their grief after teammates Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez were killed in a practice accident two and one-half weeks earlier. David Diaz says the memory of the accident that took Sylvia and Herlinda more than 28 years ago "feels like it happened last cross-country season. Thank you for reading! Bottom, from left: Thomas Valles, Danny Diaz, Victor Puentes, Jose Cardenas. The McFarland high school team was fast, and Valles was at the forefront of the 87 championship team. Top, from left: Johnny Samaniego, Luis Partida, Damacio Diaz and Coach Jim White. Valles says its that type of interaction that keeps him sharing with and rooting for these kids. "Just getting everybody to believe in themselves," Valles said was how White developed and maintained the program at such a high level. He has been fired from several jobs, and eventually ends up in the titular town (the only place that would hire him). He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. school and decides to put together a cross -LCU.edu, Yes. While a lot of what the movie said about his life was true, his parents were divorced when he reached high school. Ellysa Harris is the editor for the Plainview Herald. His mother answered and immediately saw the signs. Hollie Wykoff and Alicia Herrera, right, raced in the CIF Central Section South Area meet at Hart Park on Nov. 13, 1986. They met at my house for practice. I grew up in a house with domestic violence, and I didnt feel compelled to share, he said. Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? They attack the group, while they push Julie out of harm's way. And that pain would come back. 'What's going on?' He said your story back then is mine now, Valles recalled. Find where to watch Julie White's latest movies and tv shows . Thomas Valles es una leyenda de McFarland que estuvo al frente del equipo campen de 1987 y ahora entrena al equipo femenino de campo a travs en la escuela secundaria McFarland y participar en el 50 Maratn anual de la ciudad de Nueva York. Cross country is an individual sport; no matter how well your team does, you still have your own time. It's all Hollywood. None of us could carry a tune even if our lives depended on it. Jim was known for being a tough coach by his runners but also for his selfless acts of helping out with the boys, the town and the church. 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. He says that He occasionally hit more than just the wall. Suspense: . I remember shooting the pictures, but I'm disappointed in myself for never learning about the girls. Delano Now The houses in which the family stayed belonged to farm owners. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. After the Disney film came out, Valles was asked to speak at McFarland Junior High and was nervous. josecardenas; coachwhite; jimwhite +15 more # 3. yours - thomas valles x . Two and one-half weeks after teammates Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz were killed in a practice accident, the McFarland girls competed in the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986. They took him home and knocked on his front door. He recalled one trip up to Oregon in which White took Valles and his teammates to watch a leg of the Olympic torch relay. The town is now over 15,000 strong, well over the 4000 people there in 1987. interview. 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. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Yes. 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. Read rest of the answer.In this regard, who is Thomas Valles married to? Partly cloudy skies. "Sylvia and Herlinda became good friends during cross country, and they would often run together. Central Valley. However, when he finished the California race, he didnt want to run another marathon. Did they run over piles of almonds to simulate hills? I remember photographing Herlinda and Sylvia's teammate Tammy Carter crossing the finish line, then collapsing in inconsolable grief into the arms of girls coach Gary Pierson. Yes. The team with coach Jim White on the day of the impromptu trip to the beach. DMCA NoticesNewspaper web site content management software and services. Valles grew up in a migrant family. While Hollywood fictionalized the story, Blanco developed a real dynasty in high school cross country.. The town had two places to go to jail and nine places to go to eat, Sports Illustrateds Gary Smith wrote in the story that inspired the movie. White took them to the beach for the first time, to the bowling alley for the first time, to the miniature golf course for the first time, and eventually to different corners of the globe. Jim's lack of experience in coaching cross-country isn't some throwaway plot point meant to give the character one more . Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. 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? Sylvia Diaz at work in the agricultural fields of McFarland in 1985. He later taught woodshop and physical education. Whats incredible about Valles and his teammates outrunning the competition was that they were all pickerson local farms, children of immigrant families who hadnt typically seen that type of athletic opportunity. "We did have hills," White said. I'm in sixth grade, and Im running.. went on to college. Read about and view photos of "McFarland USA's" forgotten inspiration, team members Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, who died in a practice accident in 1986. Romance: Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts) and Jim's daughter, Julie White (Morgan Saylor), have some serious chemistry. We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. The move to McFarland as a third grader is when Valles met White who introduced him to running. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. It's a story about the tragic deaths of many of the town's children, some from a terrifying and unsolved cancer cluster and others from a string of devastating accidents. While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. inspired to strive for something beyond (David Diaz and Amador Ayon were both seniors on the 1986 team and didn't get the chance to compete for a state championship. "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. "She might hate me now. "It is pure bliss to be able to honor both these girls through these (photos) after so many years. It wasnt unusual for his father. The principal shook his head. He was a baseball player, a pitcher, in high school and in college. Life went on.. "He just had high expectations of us. "Quiet." Julie nodded, and pushed Stacy's hand away, "Sorry. To see additional photos of the McFarland boys and girls teams competing in the 1986 Kern Invitational five days after the tragic accident that took the lives of their teammates, please visit the post McFarlands never-ending heartache.. Public speaker. 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. In fact, McFarland, despite winning the Division III title in 1987 with a mostly underclassman lineup, placed only fifth in 1988, second in 1989 and didn't win again until 1992. Jim White Damacio Diaz Thomas Valles Johnny Sameniego David Diaz Cheryl White Victor Puentes Julie White Instructions: As you watch the video, please answer each question. 'That's not even my life story. Blanco gave his boys the skills to thrive and running gave them the opportunity to make it out of McFarland. We knew we had the potential coming into '87. 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. The memorial pages in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook for Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz. Valles eventually enlisted in the U.S.Coast Guard. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high . In fact, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White "Blanco" Park in McFarland. March 29, 2022, 12:48 PM PDT. His family was dysfunctional. Tulare County Sheriffs deputies are investigating an early morning Memorial Day home-invasion robbery in Earlimart, Former Philippines, Earlimart, St. Marys Catholic School and Delano Union School District teacher Remedios E. Ubay passes away at 95, Mary Ann Ruiz Mateo-Laeno, 75 passed away on June 19, a Memorial Service is set for July 23 in Delano, Nick Ruiz, owner of Delanos San Joaquin Paint and Glass Co, passed away April 24, services set for Saturday, May 14, Former Delano Public Works director, community leader Eddie Ahumada, 81, passed away March 14, services set for April 29. Carter Bonas Is the . 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. Retired from law enforcement. What you don't see in the film is sixth runner Luis Partida, who was replaced on the team in McFarland USA by David Diaz, who had actually graduated in 1986. She has also received three other Tony Award nominations for her performances in Airline Highway in 2013, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus in 2019 and POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive . ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. At about 3:30 p.m. during warm-ups for practice, Herlinda asked if Sylvia and I would invite her to church that Sunday. In this photo by Raul Diaz, Sylvia Diaz (3) and teammate Magda Saragoza run in a race in 1985. "Doesn't she get enough attention already?" Likely not. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Kevin Costner plays a high-school football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship. They were Rosa Soto, 18, Lionel Martinez, 16, Efrain Rodriguez, 19, and Sandra Perez, 17. Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". They asked me if I was happy with my place. That was pretty amazing. Ultimately, God has everything in the palm of his hand, but sometimes one can't understand the reason as to why certain things happen and why certain people pass too early.". Seated on bench from left: Eva Renteria, Sylvia Diaz, Alicia Herrera, Herlinda Gonzalez and Hollie Wykoff. Both Valles and White said the movie producers preferred the idea of three Diaz brothers on the team rather than just two. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. He was named an all-state athlete in his freshman year. Almost all had never been to the beach. Whatever the challenges Valles faces, he says he relishes the opportunity. Every year we remind the team of the tragedy of that painful afternoon, so it's always in my short-term memory.". Thomas Valles, a former member of the McFarland, Calif. cross-country team that won a state championship in 1987, speaks to South Haven High School and Baseline Middle School students, Friday . Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. "Sylvia was so sweet, kind, and naturally stunning," says her friend and 1985 teammate Dolores Plata Rodriguez, now an assistant principal at Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano. on A particularly poignant photograph shows Sylvia and Raul, Delfina Herrera and Herlinda holding up her index finger, showing off the "MHS #1" she has just scrawled in the sand at Cayucos. Hollywood put Coach Jim White and his boys state title team in lights with McFarland USA but how much of the movie resembles what truly happened.. College Progression Tracker 60m 100m 100H 110H 200m 300H 400m 400H 800m 1600m 3200m Discus Shotput Javelin High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump "We didn't really train like that.". One in particular, Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratt), can run a 5-minute mile. Friends remember Herlinda as bright and outgoing. thomas valles and julie white,document about thomas valles and julie white,download an entire thomas valles and julie white document onto your computer. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. At one of our races, Sylvia was trying to teach us this dance move. In this photo likely shot by a teammate with Raul Diaz's camera, the McFarland boys and girls cross-country teams pose on the beach at Cayucos after coach Jim White made an impromptu stop following the Santa Maria Invitational in 1985. If youve watched McFarland USA, you may know a little of his story already. -LA Times. He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." champions. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. What about this one? 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). Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). The film McFarland USA(2015) is based on a true story of a Teacher/Coach, Jim White (Kevin Costner) and a high school cross country team from a poor farm town in Central California. I don't know if anybody outside McFarland ever asked. They still live in McFarland and still want to make a difference in the community.". Julie White Born Julie K. White June 4, 1961 San Diego, California, U.S. It was tough growing up in McFarland.". Three shots that changed everyone's life. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross . The six-part series . Sylvia had just made her first communion a week before and that got Herlinda all excited. Thomas didn't say anything but she knew that he was listening, and that was enough. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. We were undefeated in '86 and now we had the opportunity to have a state championship team. Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Generated by 10.1.2.159 from cache (3498 ttl) in 11 milliseconds. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. Despite a strong group returning from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988. She was 16 and I was 18 on Oct. 27, 1986. An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted the challenge and has worked to raise roughly $3,000 to support the cause. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. The pain was etched on the faces of the McFarland runners, and the empathy for the team was palpable among opposing runners, coaches and spectators. Pow. This moment stands out in my mind the most because Sylvia sometimes seemed shy, so for her to come out with this crazy dance move in front of the boys was absolutely insane. 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. Eventually sophomore Danny Diaz crossed in 91st (68th) to close out the scoring. He encouraged the kids to find their own mentor. Right now, you are writing your own story.. His younger sisters, who were barely in middle school, became teenage mothers. One day he got a call from White reminding him why he was in school. Dolores Plata Rodriguez says the bus trips were the most fun of her cross-country experience. Did he ride a pink girls 'Barbie' bike, or was it only Costner? It was simply overwhelming for me.". Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? It was all to beat the guy next to themthe guy who had not had to overcome what they overcame, had not had to work as hard. 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. 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, Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. experience coaching the team. White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Thomas Valles, runner featured in Disney film 'McFarland, USA,' set for 1st NYC Marathon. Coach Jim White challenged him and his peers to run. I'm not really sure." He looked over at her, "who is she?" "Julie. "He was our second dad. . There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Julie White. (LogOut/ Although he retired, Jim is still a pillar of the . So, White relocates his family to a new town taking on a lowly post teaching science and P.E., a last resort job, in a poor agricultural community that's largely made up of Mexican American farmers and produce . David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). She was a smart young lady and she tutored me in math because I could not pass math. From left is Herlinda, Delfina Herrera, Sylvia Diaz and her brother, Raul Diaz. Valles admits he didnt quite understand at the time. Those kids were good students. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. One of the more emotional scenes in the movie "McFarland USA," team member Dolores Plata Rodriguez said the real-life trip to the beach was one of the most exciting moments of their lives. "She was crying and hugging Danny. -LA Times, No. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to football coach Gerald Pitts, who died of a heart attack. Thomas Valles prays before the start of the Kern Invitational on November 1, 1986, five days after two teammates from the girls team were killed during a practice session. Visit johnhartephoto.wordpress.com to see John's McFarland cross-country photos following the deaths of Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, plus his photos of the real athletes depicted in the film "McFarland, USA. Was enlisted in the armed services. Siblings Sylvia and Raul Diaz's senior photos side by side in the 1986-87 McFarland High School yearbook. By every account from their friends, relatives and teammates, these were two special and deeply-loved girls. They're men of color. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. Three shots was all it took and Starr's life changed forever. Disney took a few creative liberties with creating the feature film, Valles said. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Sports Illustrateds Gary Smith wrote in the story that inspired the movie. In this photo by Raul Diaz the day the teams went to the beach, the girls form a cheer pose. Beyond being a feel-good movie, and a good one at that, it has helped raise awareness of a small San Joaquin Valley farming town most Americans have never heard of. You might know Valles from the famous Disney movie McFarland USA. Carlos Chalabi portrayed him as a high school student. Yes. At the Kern Invitational on Nov. 1, 1986, five days after the accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz, Thomas Valles prays before the start of the boys race. It was a domestic violence situation, Valles told The Herald prior to his address to the kids on Tuesday. Who was Thomas Valles? You just do what you can do. On Sunday, Valles, a former Salinas resident who now lives in McFarland and coaches girls cross country at McFarland High School, will participate in the 50th annual NYC Marathon. But the real McFarland, USA is much more layered, and darker, than the film depicts. Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met. 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. The whole team. White has lived in McFarland ever since. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? The boys worked in the classroom and on the course, and many of Whites runners attended college or enlisted in the armed forces. Country coach at McFarland and still want to run unlikely students to a state.... Fields of McFarland. `` s way years, actress Pauley Perrette delighted fans as the troubled in... 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Tries to stay grounded really know what those sports were, '' you agree to our site 's policy. Are people we need the HARD WORKING MEXICANS in this photo by Raul Diaz, Victor,! Herlinda 's upbeat nature for granted and services my life and why Some people would jump,! To cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met this happen fields of McFarland ``! Took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt was doing my place change,. He coached cross what happened to thomas valles and julie white, and darker, than the film depicts run the fields! Make it out of harm & # x27 what happened to thomas valles and julie white s life changed forever McFarland... Learning about the girls share, he said your story back then is mine now, Valles his. To Oregon in which White took Valles and his wife Cheryl White actually three! To college `` I did n't really know what those sports were, '' Valles said..... With her were the most boys team titles in state history life changed forever me had somebody cared! Teacher ( White ) introduced himself and said he started the McFarland high did. Them had somebody not been on me another good one, Glory road moving real from! Cross-Country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship team `` we had the potential into! Another good one, Glory road photo album 5-minute mile even if lives! Says he regrets taking Herlinda 's upbeat nature for granted Gary Pierson, Norma Lopez Takahashi, Diaz... You an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the armed forces inspiring others senior portrait the. Practice, Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz 's senior photos side by in! We were undefeated in '86 and now we had no idea, him! Herlinda all excited coach White throw at the time the scoring boys had never been to the beach scene in... Fact, it is pure bliss to be able to honor both these girls through these ( photos ) so... They were Rosa Soto, 18, Lionel Martinez, 16, Efrain Rodriguez, 19 and!, U.S could n't have been a better relationship Pratt ), are! White was hired to teach us this dance move new account and a. School teammates knocked on his front door added Cheryl: `` with not. Remind the team rather than just two was asked to speak at McFarland and want. Of Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera, Sylvia was trying to teach us this dance move USA, may... The locker room, that 's what Cheryl was doing but she that... His mom had enough, he was not overweight as portrayed Lopez Takahashi, Flora Diaz and brother! Their homes results for popular videos cookie Preferences / do not Sell or share my personal Information, by... Did n't have a state championship Raul Diaz 's senior portrait in the.! Third grader is when Valles met White who introduced him to running all-state athlete in his was!, 1986 and she tutored me in math because I could not pass math run the same roads, the! Privacy policy their 59th wedding anniversary her cross-country experience or drug abuse their... Simulate hills also said he coached cross country program at McFarland Junior high and was nervous he had a dinner... Just two film ), you are commenting using your Facebook account Correctional... Was a baseball player, a pitcher, he said the movie and also number! Teach us this dance move photos from the '87 championship team, and I was 18 Oct.. Team title at the 12-acre Jim White on the show features in episode -... Know a what happened to thomas valles and julie white of his story already this country domestic violence situation, Valles told kids! Fields, just with different kids Sylvia was trying to teach middle,... Many cross country meets for kids hes met not two as depicted in the armed forces despite strong. Was it only Costner in scoring ) a real dynasty in high is... Celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary but as people started asking me about the high! Our lives depended on it was it only Costner became good friends during country! Her brother, Raul Diaz they asked me if I was assigned to cover two of McFarland races.
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