Onetime kidnapping and abuse victim reveals her strength in completing world-record, 3,762-mile triathlon

Norma Bastidas, who was kidnapped as a teen in Mexico and sexually abused, has become a strong, successful actress, athlete, business woman and mother in Canada. Recently she completed a two-month swim, bike and run journey through the Caribbean, Mexico and the United States to raise awareness about human trafficking. My story about Bastidas' quest and its physical and mental challenges for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/10994589/endurance-sports-norma-bastidas-mega-triathlon-set-record-worthy-cause

For Raiders' LaMarr Woodley, end is a new beginning

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: LaMarr Woodley is excited by new challenge with Raiders to transition from outside linebacker to defensive end. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/End-is-a-New-Beginning-for-Raiders-Woodley-261099591.html

Ian Williams motivated to regain nose tackle position

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Nose tackle Ian Williams, injured in Game 2 last season, has bounced back before and can do it again. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Nose-Tackle-Williams-Hopes-to-Rebound-Once-Again-261103741.html

Lively competition at cornerback expected in 49ers camp

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The competition at cornerback for the 49ers includes a touted rookie, a veteran who missed all of 2013, a former Viking and a speedy second-year special teams ace. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Start-of-49ers-OTAs-Signals-Start-to-Competition-at-Cornerback-260943221.html

Ausberry could give Raiders a boost at tight end

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tight end David Ausberry missed the entire 2013 season with a shoulder injury, but his return and pairing with Mychal Rivera could give the Raiders a nice 1-2 combination at the position. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Ausberrys-Return-Could-be-Big-For-Raiders-260935101.html

49ers receiving corps morphs from weak to peak

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: For a while in 2013, Colin Kaepernick trusted Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis ... and no one else. Now, the 49ers group of receivers is ranked among the best in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Receivers-Now-Rank-Among-Best-in-NFL-260776051.html

Is Raiders' confidence in Matt Schaub delusional?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Are the Raiders and their fans deluding themselves by thinking that Matt Schaub can make a successful comeback in Oakland? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Schaub-Confident-He-Can-Succeed-With-Raiders-260770101.html

Baalke dismisses reports he's trying to trade James

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers GM Trent Baalke refutes reports that the team is trying to trade LaMichael James. And, in fact, he may be too valuable to part with ... for the time being. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/James-May-be-Too-Valuable-to-Trade-260666931.html

Raiders' "Jelly Bean" Ellis could be a fourth-round gem

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders' draft has been consistently applauded, and fourth-round pick Justin "Jelly Bean" Ellis of Louisiana Tech is one of the reasons why. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Unheralded-Ellis-Could-Make-Impact-for-Raiders-260416581.html

Too slow? Too short? 49ers' Borland doesn't care

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Wisconsin All-America linebacker Chris Borland discounts all the critics who say he'll be overmatched in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Borland-Eager-to-Prove-His-Worth-to-49ers-260420391.html

Can just-signed receiver Greg Little help the Raiders?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: In three seasons with Cleveland, Greg Little made some terrific plays. He also dropped 31 passes. Can the wideout make improvements in Oakland? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Little-Needs-to-Take-Big-Steps-to-Help-Raiders-260269321.html

49ers' Ward begins transition to cornerback this week

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers' No. 1 draft choice Jimmie Ward will begin working out at cornerback this weekend when San Francisco holds its three-day rookie minicamp. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Jimmie-Ward-Eager-for-Debut-at-Rookie-Camp-260275091.html

Ex-Stanford standout LB Skov trying to make 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Shayne Skov, who once played for Jim Harbaugh and Vic Fangio at Stanford, says he'll do everything he can to make the 49ers as an undrafted free-agent linebacker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Skov-Faces-Uphill-Battle-to-Make-49ers-Roster-260112891.html

Raiders' Carr looks good ... but so did Wilson in 2013

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr looked good in Raiders' minicamp this past weekend, but so did last year's drafted rookie QB, Tyler Wilson. So fans should control their enthusiasm at this point. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carr-Looks-Good-But-Its-Very-Early-259947031.html

Marcus Martin could be 49ers' center as a rookie

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former USC center Marcus Martin, taken in the third round, could challenge Daniel Kilgore for the starting job at center in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Martin-Could-Start-at-Center-as-a-Rookie-259953981.html

After long layoff, U.S. women's water polo team reunites for Riverside tournament and a very busy summer

Kami Craig has played in two Olympics for the U.S., so she's eager to get back together with longtime teammates, and meet new ones, on the U.S. women's water polo team. Craig and TeamUSA host an international tournament this week, then will head out for a busy summer across the globe. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/May/19/Marco-Polo-US-Water-Polo-Team-Reunites-In-Riverside

Fifth book completed: A look at Tiger Woods' breakthrough, record-setting victory at the Masters in 1997

I just completed my fifth nonfiction sports book for young readers, which will be published later in 2014. The new book, part of a series about great breakthrough sports performances, is about 21-year-old Tiger Woods' 12-stroke, 18-under-par victory at the Masters in 1997. It's a day-by-day story of that April week at Augusta in 1997, from pre-tournament predictions through practice rounds to his Sunday celebration, and beyond. My previous book topics: the history of University of Oregon football, girls' basketball stars and fundamentals, a biography of Henry Aaron (all published) and Great Moments in Olympic Basketball (soon to be released).

Raiders say D.J. Hayden has made big strides

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reggie McKenzie's draft class of 2013 may prove to be better than previously believed if D.J. Hayden blossoms at cornerback in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Haydens-Success-Would-Shine-on-McKenzie-259798541.html

"The Hall" is a heavyweight tribute to baseball's history

A new book published by the Baseball Hall of Fame, "The Hall: A Celebration of Baseball's Greats," is a giant compilation of text and photos. The book delivers its biggest hits with photos and stories about often-overlooked major league and Negro leagues stars of the early 20th century. My book review for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/may/18/tp-the-hall-a-heavy-home-run/

A dynamic duel for 49ers: Lattimore vs. Hyde

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: One of the most interesting competitions this spring and summer will be between talented young running backs Carlos Hyde and Marcus Lattimore. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Hyde-Lattimore-Will-Provide-a-Dynamic-Duel-259528531.html