U.S. archers overcome stiff wind and stellar field to win first team title at World Championships since 1983

Brady Ellison, Joe Fanchin and Jake Kaminski battled winds of as much as 40 mph in Turkey at the outdoor archery World Championships to win the first U.S. team title since 1983. The final match came down to the last arrow as the U.S. beat the Netherlands, which had defeated the U.S. in two previous head-to-head matchups. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2013/October/11/US-Archers-Hit-Target-World-Crown

Win over Cards could catapult 49ers toward win streak

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If 49ers can beat the Cardinals Sunday, the next portion of their schedule could lay the groundwork for a string of victories. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-May-Be-Poised-for-a-Winning-Streak-227394281.html

Raiders' only hope vs. Chiefs? Their running game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrelle Pryor and Darren McFadden give Oakland a 1-2 running punch that could be aimed at 5-0 Chiefs' lone weakness. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Best-Hope-vs-Chiefs-Run-the-Football-227387541.html

49ers' Brock has taken long, winding road to new role

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tramaine Brock was an afterthought in the 49ers' plans this year, but over the past two games he's won the nickel cornerback job from the injured Nnamdi Asomugha. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Brock-Has-Earned-His-Role-227239651.html

Gurode & Co. are filling holes in Raiders' O-Line

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode is stepping into the center position for the injured Stefen Wisniewski, just the latest in the line's game of musical chairs in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Backups-Stepping-Up-on-Raiders-Offensive-Line-227234301.html

Lindsey Valenzuela has risen to the top of CrossFit with a work ethic inspired by the SEAL mentality

Former college volleyball star Lindsey Valenzuela loves to lift weights. It's a passion to get stronger. But her rise to the upper echelon of the sport of CrossFit -- in which she is now No. 2 in the world -- came because she focused on her weaknesses and after sharpening her mental toughness with a crash course in SEAL-style training. My story on Valenzuela for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9796654/endurance-sports-diverse-background-helps-improving-crossfit-star-lindsey-valenzuela

Rookie safety Reid is making big strides

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie Eric Reid, who had eight tackles in victory over Texans Sunday, is rapidly becoming an NFL playmaker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/So-Far-Reid-Has-Been-a-Hit-for-49ers-226912251.html

Pryor's rise is one of NFL's best stories of 2013

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrelle Pryor's growth as a QB for Raiders has been a happy surprise for the team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Pryors-Improvement-is-One-of-NFLs-Best-Stories-226906501.html

When it comes to jumping for joy, Vhoebe the Belgian Malinois does it better than any dog in the world

A few years ago, Lise Ann Strum got a call asking if she'd adopt a problem pup who had too much energy and naughty ways for her host family. That dog, Vhoebe, still has excess energy, but she's now a happy member of the Strum family -- and a world champion and world-record holder in the sport of dog jumping. Now, says Strum, she feels as if she's the one who was rescued. My story for the pets page of U-T San Diego. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/04/dock-jump-champion-dog/

Niners, back on track, have regained their confidence

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After floundering early this season, the 49ers have reeled off two straight wins with an old formula: defense and a physical ground game. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick says it was what the 49ers needed to do. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Gone-Back-to-the-Future-226760431.html

Raiders' defense was key factor in win over Chargers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Oakland defense is playing much better than its individual parts, as Sunday night's victory over the Chargers showed. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Defense-is-Coming-Together-226754181.html

Raiders come alive in late-night date with Chargers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrelle Pryor is terrific and Oakland's defense creates some key turnovers in the Raiders' 27-17 victory over San Diego. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Late-Start-is-Prime-Time-for-Raiders-226703061.html

Niners' defense gets grabby in win over Texans

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners defense picks off Matt Schaub three times and San Francisco pounds the ball on the ground all game long in 34-3 victory over Houston. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Intercept-Texans-226693961.html

Rivers may go after Raiders' rookie Hayden

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie cornerback D.J. Hayden has had a rough NFL debut, so he may be targeted early and often by Chargers QB Philip Rivers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Rivers-May-Go-After-Raiders-Rookie-226387521.html#comments

Texans' defense will be challenge for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: J.J. Watt and the Texans will be a challenge for the 49ers to overcome. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Texans-Defense-a-Big-Challenge-for-49ers-226388651.html

Boldin says strong run game is key to passing success

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Anquan Boldin, often double teamed this season, saw a beautiful thing Thursday when Frank Gore began running for big chunks of yardage vs. the Rams: single coverage. If the 49ers can keep pounding, says Boldin, the passing game can thrive. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Boldin-Running-Game-Can-Open-49ers-Passing-Attack-226312381.html

McGloin makes leap to No. 2 QB on Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Undrafted rookie Matt McGloin has been promoted to the backup quarterback on the Raiders behind Terrelle Pryor. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McGloin-Now-One-Play-Away-From-Leading-Raiders-226307251.html

Holistic health coach's goal is to create healthy, active and long-lasting lifestyles for her clients

Over her years as a longtime physical therapist, Andrea Garro came to see good health as a product of many factors, with the largest being food and diet. So, she branched off into the study of nutrition and now works as a holistic health coach in north San Diego County, working with clients to understand what foods are, and aren't, good for them. My story on Garro for the "On the Job" series in UT San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/03/tp-holistic-health-coach-changes-lifestyles/

Getting back to basics on offense may help 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners are one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, going three-and-out on 43.1 percent of their offensive series. By getting back to basics, they hope they can sustain more drives. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Offense-Getting-Back-to-Basics-225982141.html

Raiders' D may see a healthy dose of no-huddle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders defense didn't react well to the Redskins' no-huddle offense Sunday. Now the Chargers come to Oakland ready to show them some more. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Defense-Sure-to-See-More-No-Huddle-Attacks-225974671.html