Local cowboy takes third in nationals

Shane Proctor jumped from eighth to third place in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Proctor had won it all in 2011, sewing up the world bull riding championship in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. His hometown, Grand Coulee, honored Proctor by erecting a sign at the south end of Midway Avenue calling attention to his note-

worthy achievement.

On Dec. 13, Proctor, who graduated from Lake Roosevelt High School in 2003, finished competition by riding five of 10 bulls for a payday of $113,385, bringing his total winnings for the year to $202,398, and trailing 2015 PRCA champion Sage Kimzey, who had $327,178 in winnings, and Cody Teel, whose winnings totaled $278,749.

“It felt good to finish it off strong,” Proctor told PBR’s Neal Reid in an interview. “I usually finish stronger than I start, and once you get comfortable at this arena, it’s so much fun to ride here. I wish we had another 10 days here, because I don’t feel sore at all and feel great.”

Proctor goes on in January, with a lot of momentum, for the 2016 PBR Built Ford Tough Series, kicking off in Chicago.

Proctor knows what it means when bull riding is called the toughest of all sports. He recently had his shoulder surgically repaired and is “bullish” on his future.

Proctor got on 170 bulls this year. “I want to just keep pushing it for as long as I can,” he said in an interview just after placing third.

Proctor, now 30, was an outstanding athlete at LRHS, always giving 100 percent. He still does, but now in a different arena.