Yost Crowned King of New England After Live Free Or Die High Senior Win

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – Team Panteao’s Tom Yost wrapped up his run at the King of New England with a second place finish in the Enhanced Service Pistol division at the Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship, claiming the High Senior title and his place in history as the first ever ESP King of New England.

Presented by Apex Tactical Specialties, the King of New England series recognizes the top shooters competing in the Massachusetts State Championship, the New England Regional and the Live Free Or Die, with the title going to the competitor with the top cumulative score, in their division, from four pre-selected stages from each of the three championships.

Yost previously won the ESP title at both the Massachusetts State Championship and the New England Regional, giving him a 26.23 second lead over Joe Linskey of team Wolff Gunsprings/Tactical Defense Solutions.

Yost finished the Live Free Or Die ahead of Linskey by 5.28 seconds with his final time of 258.82 (49) to Linskey’s 264.10 (26). In the King of New England series, Yost finished with a final combined time of 274.50, followed by Linskey with 305.36 and Nick Bedio with 332.40.

“Tom is arguably one of the best shooters in IDPA and now he has the King of New England title to prove it. Congratulations to Tom on taking High Senior at the Live Free Or Die and for being crowned King – Long Live the King,” said Ken Lambert, match director for the Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die.

Elsewhere in the ESP division contest at the Live Free Or Die, Ed Stettmeier won the overall division title with 215.68 seconds and 38 points down. Joe Linskey took Most Accurate honors with just 26 points down. Terrance Robertson, an ESP Master, won High Distinguished Senior with 308.85 (110). Lance Boehlke finished first Sharpshooter with 352.82 (108). The U.S. Coast Guard’s Chad Barber took home High Military honors with 413.18 (79) competing as a Sharpshooter. Pasquile Vitetta Jr. finished first Marksman with 442.25 (123). Sandy Lincoln, the division’s only Novice, finished with 929.97 (360).

The sold out 2013 Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship took place October 18-20 and was hosted by the Pioneer Sportsmen Club in Dunbarton, N.H.

The match was sponsored by a number of firearms industry leaders, including Apex Tactical Specialties, Comp-Tac Victory Gear, iMarksman, New England Tactical, RangeLog, Ruger, Safariland, SIG SAUER, Taurus and Smith & Wesson, the title sponsor of the match.

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