Krueger started competing in local Miss Texas USA pageants aged 18, placing in the top five but not winning.

Krueger competed in the Miss Texas USA pageant numerous times in 1990s without placing, although she came close to making the top twelve in 1999 at the Miss Texas USA 2000 pageant.

In 2000, her first appearance in the pageant semi-finalis, Krueger won the Miss Texas USA 2001 title.

[citation needed] Krueger represented Texas at Miss USA 2001, in Gary, Indiana in March 2001.

[citation needed] During her homecoming in Texas, she was given the key to the city of Austin, presented to the Senate, and met with governor Rick Perry.