Invite

August 3, 2026

Dear Coach:

You and your squad are cordially invited to the 2026 Hutchinson Tom Kelly Debate Invitational, 810 E 13th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501, on October 9th and 10th, 2025. There will be 4, two day divisions. The tournament will have NO Saturday only division. The divisions being hosted are a Novice, JV, KDC and a DCI Division.

Novices will be limited to the NDCA Novice Caselist. Entries are FREE if you provide a judge per 2 entries. 3rd and 4th year debaters welcome to judge novice. Please enter the judges in tabroom to count.

Entries are $6 per team.

Schools limited to two entries per division (Unless judge commitment can extend to cover additional entries in DCI).

We will clear up to, top 8 teams with winning records in KDC and DCI.

There will be a concession stand.

All entries will be waitlisted and will not be removed from the waitlist until debater names are added.

KSHSAA rules are in effect unless the invitation or tournament communication notes exceptions. Third and fourth year debaters may judge novice rounds.

We hope to see you on October 9th and 10th in Hutch.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Warmly,

Daniel Stout

Head Coach, Debate/Forensics

Hutchinson High

Mersadies Marciano

Assistant Debate/Forensics Coach

TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. All teams will be debating this year’s resolution--Resolved: The United States federal government should establish national health insurance in the United States.

2. All debates will use the standard 8-3-5 cross examination format with 8 minutes for prep time per team, per round.

3. JV is any team composed of two individuals in which this is the second year of policy debate for BOTH members.

4. Any team more than 10 minutes late to the round (through their own fault) will receive a 3-4/0 Points loss.

5. No two debaters from different schools may debate together as a team.

6. Any rules challenges (evidence or otherwise) must be made before the beginning of the next round. Issues of clipping cards should be argued in the debate, and the ultimate decision will be made at the discretion of the judge evaluating the round.

7. The tab room will always be open, and it is your job to check the results before the awards assembly. Once the assembly starts, the placements are final.

8. KSHSAA revised rules for internet use will be followed. As you register on site, you will be provided with wifi logon information so that you and your students will be granted capacity to access our school’s internet services for competition purposes.

9. We will delay power match rounds

10. Cancellations will result in rescheduling, substitution of host teams, or byes.

11. No Mavericks unless it is a last resort and has been approved by the tournament director.

12. Fees for entry and hospitality are non-refundable if drops are made after October 5th at 5:00 PM.

13. Judges

For the DCI division

1. A Judge is to be provided for every two teams.

2. A Judge is obligated one full outround after their team has been eliminated.

For Novice

1. 3rd or 4th year debaters are asked to be the judge for the novice division. Providing a judge will result in your two entries in novice being free.

For JV and KDC

1. Community judges will be prioritized.

Coaches and/or sponsors may be asked to judge in the event of a necessary judge change

14. Lastly, if a student enters a classroom without a judge present, it is grounds for immediate disqualification and removal from the tournament.

15. Hutchinson High will enter teams in the DCI division of this tournament.

SCHEDULE OF ROUNDS

Schedule

Oct 9, 2026

Registration: 1:30-2:30

Pairings R1 & R2: 2:30

Round 1: 3:00-5:00

Round 2: 5:00-7:00

Round 3: 7:00-9:00

Oct 10, 2026

Round 4 - 8:00-10:00

Round 5 - 10:00-12:00

Lunch 12:00-12:30

Quarters Pairings for KDC and DCI- 12:30

Quarters for KDC and DCI-1:00

Semis and Finals Immediately Following