Jefferson High School, 2004 – 07
Ariel made an immediate impact as a freshman, as runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle and touching third in the 50-yard freestyle at the 2004 state championships. Her sophomore year, she captured her first individual title, winning the 100-yard backstroke as well as finishing runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle. The 2006 championship was a unique one as Ariel and Kristi Hall of Yorktown tied for first place in the 50-yard freestyle, the first time the championships had ever had a tie for first. As a senior, she runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle and took third place in the 100-yard butterfly. Ariel continued to swim at Purdue University where she was team captain her senior year. She set school records eight times during her career at Purdue, and earned Honorable Mention All-American five times as part of Purdue relays that