2027 The Cross Timbers Classic

January 7–9, 2027

Hosted by LAUNCH Speech & Debate
Hope Presbyterian Church · Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Team Policy · Lincoln-Douglas · Parliamentary · All Stoa Speech · Juniors

REGISTER YOUR FAMILY   |   REGISTER TO JUDGE

WELCOME TO THE INAUGURAL CROSS TIMBERS CLASSIC

Founded and modeled in the classic tournament style by long-term Stoa families, our event provides a hospitable competitive environment rooted in grace and excellence.

Why “Cross Timbers”?

• A historic landscape: The name pays homage to the historic, forested ecoregion famously explored and written about by Washington Irving.
• A true crossroads: Geographically, we are perfectly situated where Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas meet.
• The cross of Christ: Most importantly, the name serves as a beautiful reminder of the cross of Christ that unites our Stoa community.

Tournament Location

Hope Presbyterian Church
900 Dewey Ave, Bartlesville, OK 74003
Get Directions

Tournament Directors: Janice Tham and Candis Grover
Questions? crosstimbers@launchspeechanddebate.org

Registration & Deadlines

All students competing in this tournament must meet Stoa's eligibility requirements, and current Stoa membership is required in order to participate. Every student MUST have a parent present on campus as a chaperone for the duration of the tournament.

Drops & Cancellations

• Through December 6, 2026: Drop events or cancel your registration for a full refund, minus processing fees.
• December 7-11: Drop events by logging in to your tournament registration. No refunds are given after registration closes.
• December 12 through the tournament: Drops must be made by emailing crosstimbers@launchspeechanddebate.org. A $30 drop fee applies per event.

Payment & Waitlist

Registration is not complete until all fees are paid. A $30 late fee will be added to any unpaid balance beginning December 7, 2026, and registrations still unpaid on December 12, 2026 will be automatically dropped. Waitlisted entries will be added as space becomes available.

Events & Fees

Formats Offered

Debate: Team Policy (TP), Lincoln-Douglas (LD), Parliamentary (Parli)

Speech patterns: Please note that the speech patterns listed above are tentative. Depending on registration numbers, some events may shift between patterns to make the best use of available rooms. Final patterns will be confirmed once registration closes.

Junior Events ($20 flat fee):

• Junior Apologetics
• Junior Platform
• Junior Bible Story Impromptu
• Junior Duo Interp
• Junior Impromptu
• Junior Individual Interp

If events fill up, complete your registration to secure a spot on the waitlist.

New to Stoa events? See the Stoa Event Descriptions.

Judging

To fit multiple preliminary rounds into our schedule, every registered family must provide a parent judge. Students must have their judge physically with them at check-in and available for the duration of the tournament.

• Judging Commitment: Parents are expected to judge a minimum of 3 rounds per day.
• Ballot Push: Please check with the ballot push team at least 30 minutes before each round to see what the judging needs are.

Join Us as an Honored Community Judge!

Complimentary food, meals, and refreshments will be provided in our Judge Lounge to keep our honored community and parent judges energized — judges never need to purchase a meal pass! Click here to register to judge.

Meals

To keep the tournament running on time and foster community, all tournament meals are covered by a single meal pass, purchased during registration for each person who will eat with us. Choose the Full Meal Pass ($50 per person) for the whole tournament, or the Saturday-Only Meal Pass ($17 per person).

Parent judges do not need a meal pass. Complimentary meals and refreshments are provided in the Judge Lounge for every parent or adult who comes with a student and serves as a full-time judge. Judge hospitality covers the judge only, so please purchase passes for the rest of your family.

We warmly welcome siblings, non-judging parents, and additional family members to join us! If non-judging adults or non-competing children plan to enjoy the tournament meals, please purchase a meal pass for them during registration so we can ensure there is plenty of food for everyone. See the Meals tab.

Dress Code

Stoa NITOC tournament attire is mandatory for all competitors throughout the day.

Explore Bartlesville

Many people have never heard of Bartlesville, but situated within the historic Cherokee Nation, it is a hidden gem you won't want to miss! While you are in town, we encourage your family to explore our rich local history and unique attractions:

• Price Tower — Frank Lloyd Wright's stunning skyscraper, his only fully realized one!
• Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve — Frank Phillips’s historic ranch retreat, with a renowned Western art museum and free-roaming bison
• The Voice of the Martyrs — international headquarters and visitor center
• Pathfinder Parkway — a beautiful paved trail system perfect for a nice walk
• Osage Hills State Park — explore the natural beauty of Oklahoma (dress for the weather!)
• Pioneer Woman Mercantile — just 25 miles away in Pawhuska
• Little House on the Prairie — the historic site about 40 miles away in Independence, Kansas

We look forward to hosting you for an unforgettable weekend of competition and fellowship at the Cross Timbers Classic!

Questions? crosstimbers@launchspeechanddebate.org