At Firestone High School, Rieger was a state qualifier in the 200 IM and 100 Fly. She earned All-American status. She was also a three-year member of the varsity volleyball team as an outside hitter and setter. She went on to compete in swimming while attending both the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Notre Dame College. During her freshman season at SCAD, the team earned a conference championship and Rieger was a National Finals qualifier in the 400 IM and 100 Fly. Then at Notre Dame, she was a three-time national finalist in the 400 IM and 100 Fly.

Rieger earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art/graphic design from Notre Dame in 2012. Additionally, the Wadsworth, Ohio native is a two-year member of USA Swimming, where she previously coached the Chicago Iguanas. Currently, she is employed by the Chicago Tribune as a digital media coordinator.