Scobey Program Grows Greatly During 12-Year Period
Show Team Performs Friday
A little more than a decade ago, the community of Scobey didn’t have a gymnastics program. Fast forward to the present, Scobey now showcases a program of 70 students and has been admired by people throughout northeastern Montana who have enjoyed watching them entertain during athletic half-time performances.
The surge started when Amanda Manternach began offering classes during the fall of 2014. The following January, Scobey Gymnastics Inc., was officially founded as Ben Fosland graciously volunteered his time and helped with the required paperwork.
Manternach, the current president of the club, explained, “I started the program because I have a background in competitive gymnastics and, at the time, I felt Scobey could use something for younger kids. Moving to Scobey was an adjustment. I think starting gymnastics helped me acclimate to the community.”
Growing up in Sidney, Manternach began hitting the mats when she was only 3 or 4 years old.
“My mom, Bobbi Jo, helped start the Sidney Gymnastics Club, so really since the day I was born I was passed around at the gym in Sidney while she coached,” Manternach said. “I started competitive gymnastics when I was 8 and went until my sophomore year in high school before I finally retired. At the end, I was practicing three or four days a week for about two to three hours a night. I made it through Level 8 and qualified for regionals two years in a row. I then coached part time off and on for the rest of high school.”
The first performance by Scobey Gymnastics came in 2015 during the Dirty Shame Show, and the club’s show team began in 2016. “We actually used to perform on the grass of the football field before we raised enough money to purchase all the equipment needed. Tryouts began in 2018 as I had too many to safely perform at that time,” Manternach said. “It has been consistent since then. I’ve only taken off one football season since I started and it was just last year. It just happened to be the nicest weather and best football season for the Scobey Spartans since I moved here. Overall though, I was burnt out and needed a break. Thankfully, I have great parents that supported that decision.”
She is excited that the dance team is returning to the football field at halftimes for the games on Friday, Sept. 18, and Friday, Sept. 25.
“Football is always up in the air due to the temperature, but fans can expect the Scobey Gymnastics show team to be upbeat and fly,” Manternach said. “The show team prides itself on having new routines for every performance. The only time you will see a recurring routine is during tournament time.”
Manternach puts in the time to choreograph most of the routines. ”All the gymnastics and tumbling I put together. However, if you ever see a dance section you can bet that it came from someone else. That is not my forte! Kim Wolfe, Mady Willis and Lynley Bucklin have helped with dance parts over the years.”
The coach loves it when older gymnasts step up to choreograph during their final season.
“I am happy for them when they are ready to move on and the ones that want to, get to choreograph their own show team routines. Sometimes they choose to team up and other times an individual will choose to choreograph on their own,” Manternach explained. “They have to get the music cleared by me and then they are on their own. I will help when needed with transitions, but mostly they figure it all out. I love seeing them work through issues they are having and how excited they are when it comes together. This basketball season I have one that has chosen to choreograph. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.”
This year, 31 gymnasts tried out for the 12 spots on the show team for the football season. There are also a couple of alternates who need to step in when other miss performances.
“My show team works hard to earn their spot. Really, tryouts day is bittersweet for me. I break hearts and make dreams come true, but I feel awful when one has made the team in the past and then didn’t quite make it the next time,” Manternach said. “I will say every time that has happened so far, those gymnasts have persevered, dug in, and made sure to make it again the next time. It isn’t easy to do that and it shows their grit and determination to power through. Parents play a big part in their success when this has happened.”
She explains that the show team has only about four practices to learn and lock down a routine. “Alternates really have a tough job. In the past, I have had to throw one in at the last minute if someone gets sick or has an injury and they are expected to know any person’s spot on the team,” Manternach said.
Through the years, there have been many memorable performances both at half-time of football games and basketball contests. One of Manternach’s favorites came at the divisional basketball tournament in 2018 when the dance team did a routine with the pep band backing them.
“They did a mash up of a few songs and recorded a track for us to practice with,” she said of the band. “It was the epitome of a small community working together and supporting each other. It was also the first performance we dove over people from the crowd. It was so cool and the crowd was really into it. We’ve had a lot of fun over the years.”
Another highlight happened in early 2025 when a few previous gymnasts wanted to perform again.
“Having Grace, Mya, Mady and Brecken out there again was a crowd favorite,” Manternach remembers. “I’m hoping to do that again if I have any interest. It is fun to see how much gymnastics my ‘retirees’ can still do.”
Those gymnasts start at an early age. Beginner levels are tiny tots (ages 4-7), tiny tumblers (ages 5-8) and tumblers. Intermediate levels are twisters and aerials. Advanced level is flyers. Aerials and flyers are eligible for the show team. The club practices for three months and then takes one month off. They concentrate on tumbling and floor exercises.
“I have 70 gymnasts ranging in ages from 5 to 12 years old. I currently have a waiting list for all my classes with 50 kids waiting to join,” Manternach said. “Mainly my gymnasts are from Scobey, but I have quite a few that drive over from Plentywood. There’s a couple from Peerless, Redstone and the Grenora area.”
In addition, the Tuck and Roll with Bobbi Jo Gymnastics Camp is also offered. “It really is a great camp! We have five adult coaches working to keep group sizes down a bit,” Manternach said. “My mom and I run it with help from my past gymnasts: Emily, Mya and Mady. I also pull in a couple of my current older gymnasts to help with the 4-5 year olds.”
She added, “I don’t feel great about having a waiting list for my classes and by doing this camp it has allowed the kids waiting to try their hand at gymnastics in a safe environment. It is also fun for my current gymnasts to get to try skills they normally may not get to attempt in regular classes. We play games and do all four events which are fun for them as well.”
Plus, it’s enjoyable to work with her mother in the development of young gymnasts. “I always say my mom is the real coach. I was just her gymnast. Everything I know, I learned from her and my other coaches coaching me. Thankfully, I remember a lot, but it’s always beneficial when I convince my mom to come around,” Manternach said.
As the young gymnasts have made strides in their performances, the program itself has enjoyed advancements. Former homes of the program have included on a stage in the school’s little gym, a studio upstairs at the Scobey Club House, the Scobey Lutheran Church basement and the new Pro-Coop building. Currently, the club has landed at the St. Philips Catholic Center in Scobey. Gymnasts are thankful to use the great space with super high ceilings.
“It’s the safest space we have been in so far and has allowed Scobey Gymnastics to start the expansion process from 50 gymnasts to 75. We are slowly working our way up to that number,” Manternach said. She added that increase in numbers is possible because of the help from volunteer coach Emily Anderson, who previously participated in the program.
A goal is to eventually secure a lot in town for a reasonable price and built a facility.
“A few of my parents have been encouraging me to do this for years. Those same parents have been the ones helping me move mats for events when needed,” Manternach said. “Scobey Gymnastics wouldn’t be where we are today without the dedicated parents and community supporting us along the way. To all of you, thank you for helping Scobey Gymnastics succeed.”
Despite the changes of locations throughout the years and continued growth of the program, her goals have remained the same for the young gymnasts.
“My goal has always been to create a safe environment for kids to build a strong foundation to support their bodies in a healthy way by utilizing stretching and movement,” she said. “Gymnastics is not an easy sport. In my opinion, it is more mental than physical. I always tell my advanced gymnasts that gymnastics will be the hardest sport they do and I will be the hardest coach they have. Together we set high expectations. ‘Do Better, Be Better.” If they endure and work through their struggles, other things in their life won’t seem as hard.”
