Julianna Cannamela

Julianna Marie Cannamela was born on June 26, 1997, in Pineville, North Carolina, to parents, John and Dawn Cannamela. She has three brothers, John Jr., Jacob and Joseph.^[2] In the spring of 2015, Cannamela graduated from Parkwood High School.^[3]

In 2001, at the age of four, Cannamela enrolled in recreational gymnastics classes at Southeastern Gymnastics in Weddington, North Carolina.^[4] Julianna remained at the club for her entire club competitive career.

Cannamela moved up to Level 10 for the 2011 season; at the age of thirteen. She was second at Regionals^[5] and twenty-first at Nationals.^[6] A year later, during the 2012 season, Cannamela was fifth at Regionals.^[7] Later, she finished third in the all-around at her second J.O. Nationals.^[8] In addition, she won a silver medal on bars.^[9] On August 5, 2012, it was announced that she had verbally committed to Louisiana State University and their gymnastics program.^[10] Julianna competed as a Level 10 for the 2013 season; her third year. At Regionals, Cannamela finished second in the all-around and was the bars champion.^[11] At Nationals, she was fourteenth.^[12] Cannamela was a fourth year Level 10 for the 2014 season. She was third at Regionals^[13] and thirty-first at Nationals; tied with Aya Mahgoub and Kristen Quaglia.^[14] On November 12, 2014, Cannamela signed the National Letter of Intent to the LSU Lady Tigers team.^[15][16] Her final season as a Level 10 gymnast was for the 2015 season; where she placed second at Regionals^[17] and twenty-third at Nationals.^[18]

Cannamela signed to the LSU Tigers women's gymnastics program on November 12, 2014, for the 2015-16 season. In a press release, Head coach D-D Breaux touted Cannamela as an "a very balanced all-arounder".