From the Archives: McFarland High: Running for their coach, their families, their town
The boys from McFarland were the unlikely champs of California cross-country. Their story is extraordinary not only for their athletic achievement, but for what they had to overcome to even be in the running. Their 1990s journey is chronicled in “McFarland, USA,” a Disney film starring Kevin Costner.
- 1
Like so many dreams that come and go here, this one began with the harvest under a brutal sky.
- 2
The mailbox at the small, tired house on Cliff Street began to fill up last week -- letters from around the state sent by complete strangers.
- 3
Thank you for “A Labor of Love for Boys of McFarland” (Dec. 1) by Mark Arax, and for the photos by Genaro Molina.
- 4
Winter comes to this beleaguered farm town the same way every year: The last vineyard is picked and the jobless rate soars to 30%, rain falls, fog descends and the boys from McFarland High -- running for a town’s pride -- try to bring home another state championship.
- 5
A recent study of farm communities found that large numbers of migrant workers have settled permanently in California’s rural corners, making the transition from illegal migrant to legal neighbor.
