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Wells ready to carry load
Ohio State running back shows work ethic needed for success

By Marla RidenourBeacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Friday, Aug 17, 2007

COLUMBUS: The challenge followed the 41-14 loss to Florida in the Bowl Championship Series title game.

But it wasn't until this summer that Chris ''Beanie'' Wells proved how seriously he took it.

After the stunning setback in Arizona, Ohio State coaches told the freshman tailback from Garfield they were expecting him to carry the offensive load in 2007. Even before he knew Antonio Pittman would leave early for the NFL, Wells vowed to himself he would step it up and be ready.

Longtime friend and OSU teammate Lawrence Wilson of St. Vincent-St. Mary watched Wells improve his work ethic. During summer conditioning, Wells got up at 6 a.m. and worked out twice a day, with the older players in the morning and the younger ones in the afternoon. On days off, he ran with junior defensive end Wilson and junior receiver Brian Robiskie, going out sometimes as late as midnight to hit the Woody Hayes Athletic Center or Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

''He's definitely ready,'' Wilson said of Wells on Thursday. ''I'm really proud of him. Everything he gets he deserves. I definitely think he's going to be a great back.''

After all his training, Wells is a rock-solid 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds. He said a typical day included a workout from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., class and lunch, then back for the second session at 3 p.m. He lifted weights twice, working different muscle groups.

Ohio.com - Wells ready to carry load