Newcomers run with the bulls – and win

By Laurence Heinen Times Contributor

A pair of first timers emerged as the big winners on back-to-back nights of the 16th annual Running with the Bulls at the Strathmore Stampede.
After Justin Lindquist impressed the judges with his daredevil antics on Saturday, Jon Croteau showed he had what it took to go toe-to-toe with the bulls the next night. For their efforts, both rookie runners won $1,000.
“It feels awesome, especially it being my first time,” said Lindquist, 21, of Irricana, whose friend urged him to sign up. “My buddy, he essentially never stopped hounding me until I did it.”
Like Lindquist, Croteau didn’t just sign up on a whim. He has his wife Kindra to thank for insisting that he run with the bulls.
“My wife was like, ‘If you go in there, you’re going to win it,’” said Croteau, of Carseland, whose No. 41 on his back matched his age. “I thought, what have I got to lose? It’s 1,000 bucks, right? I thought I’d have a good time.”
And boy, did he ever. Croteau seemed to be right in the midst of the action during all three rounds of the bulls being released into the infield.
“I was pretty close over there,” said Croteau, pointing towards the various spots where he came face-to-face with the wild beasts. “I touched his head because he was butting at me and flipped me over and the same thing over there. He was kind of going after that other guy. I ran over to try and get his attention and he came at me and flipped me over.”
Lindquist also wasn’t afraid to get into close proximity with the wild and spirited bulls one night earlier.
“After the first run, I got into it,” he said. “I was just out there, taunting them and getting in front of them. I got back to the fence and my buddy was like, ‘Dude, everybody’s screaming for you. People are going nuts. You got this.’ I was alright, now I have to try and win.”
Although he’ll have some bruises to show for his run-ins with the livestock, Lindquist didn’t mind putting his body on the line in front of thousands of people.
“This is the biggest adrenaline rush,” he said shortly after being crowned as Sunday’s winner. “It hurts, but pain goes away. It was more for the experience than anything else.”
When asked why he thought the judges picked him as the winner, Lindquist replied: “Confidence – don’t be afraid to get hurt because you’re going to get hurt. That’s kind of how you win. Something has to hit you. More than anything else, have fun doing it.”
Croteau also knew what he was getting into when he signed up.
“One of my friends went in (a couple years ago) and got… not gored, but hit with the horns one time,” said Croteau, who initially balked at his wife’s request for him to enter. “He had a big bruise, but I don’t know if I’ll have bruises. I took a couple of tumbles. That last buck was pretty good where he flipped me ass over tea kettle.”
With his prize money in hand, Croteau said he knew exactly what he’s going to do with some of the cash.
“Take my wife out for dinner,” he said. “She got me to go in. I’ve got to give her some payback.”