Marla Ranieri was born on November 14, 1982 in Manhattan, New York. She is the younger of two daughters born to Joe and Mary. Her sister, Rena, was a full scholarship member of the University of Rhode Island gymnastics team. She began gymnastics in 1991. She lived in Kinnelon, New Jersey for most of her life. Her club gym was North Stars.

At the 1996 Level 10 Nationals Marla helped her team finish second. In 1997 she competed as a national elite gymnast. She won second on vault at the US Challenge that year. Her only international competition was at the 1997 Trophee Massila in Marseille, France. She helped the USA team to a fifth place finish.

She moved up to the international elite division in 1998. Her first international elite meet was the 1998 American Classic. She placed 15th all-around and seventh on beam. At the 1998 US Classic she finished 12th and had three top ten finished on vault, bars and floor. These performances qualified her to the US National Championships. She placed 21st all-around. In 1999 she finished 23rd at the Pan Am Trials. Also, in 1999 she was named New Jersey "Athlete of the Year."

Marla's freshman season at Stanford University went well. She mainly competed on vault. In 2003 she competed at the first three meets on beam and floor. Marla was forced to retire from the sport because of an injury.

Fast Facts Name: Marla Ranieri Birthday: November 14, 1982 Club: North Stars College: Stanford Stanford

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Stanford Team Member 1997: US Challenge- 2nd VT 1996: JO Nationals- 2nd TM

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Photos © Nelse Hansen