With her victory in the Division 1 Singles and All-Events at the 2025 Oregon State USBC Open Championships, Koster became the first woman in tournament history to win either of those titles—let alone both in the same year.

This record-breaking achievement didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the result of a lifelong connection to the sport, decades of competition, and a renewed commitment to excellence that culminated in one of the most impressive performances seen on the tournament lanes in recent memory.

Born to Bowl: A Lifetime in the Lanes

Koster’s bowling journey started in Grants Pass, Oregon. From infancy, bowling was part of her daily life.

“My mom bowled right up until she had me, and was back in the bowling alley shortly after,” Koser recalled during an exclusive VanPort Bowling News interview. “I grew up falling asleep at the lanes. It was like a second home.”

Her first ball—a blue sparkly Columbia White Dot—was drilled when she was just five years old. That same year, she started keeping an average: a modest 38. But the young bowler showed early signs of natural ability. “One day, my parents looked up and saw me taking steps on the approach like I’d been coached. No one had taught me—I’d just figured it out by watching.”

That self-motivation would follow her throughout her career.

A Star of the Future—And Now the Present

By 1995, Koster’s emerging talent was recognized statewide when, at 15, she won the Mabel Marrs Star of the Future Award, a prestigious honor presented annually to a standout youth bowler in Oregon.

“It meant a lot to be recognized at that level,” she said. “That award came with a scholarship, which helped me attend West Texas A&M for a year.”

A photo from that ceremony—rediscovered recently in a USBC storage locker—shows a smiling teenage Koster receiving the award, unaware that her future in bowling would one day include rewriting the state’s competitive record books.

Breaking Barriers in High School Bowling

Koster wasn’t just an elite bowler—she was a pioneer. In the early 1990s, organized high school bowling for girls was nearly nonexistent in Oregon.

“There was a boys’ team at Grants Pass High School, but no girls’ team,” she explained. “My mom worked with the school to make bowling a club sport for girls. By my junior year, it was recognized, and we were able to letter in the sport.”

She did the same with her other passion, soccer. “Women’s soccer wasn’t offered yet either when I started high school. We had to push for opportunities.”

Koster’s efforts helped lay the groundwork for what is now a thriving high school bowling scene in Oregon. Today, more than 30 teams—16 boys and 16 girls—compete annually at the OSUSBC High School State Championships.

“To see where it is now makes my heart happy,” she said. “We fought for those opportunities, and it’s amazing to see how far it’s come.”

Stepping Away—Then Stepping Back Stronger

After moving to Washington in 2006, Koster stepped away from bowling. “I basically retired,” she admitted. “I left my gear at my mom’s house. The only time I bowled was when she’d sign me up for Nationals if they were in Reno or Vegas.”

But in 2009, she returned to league competition. The fire hadn’t faded, and her skills quickly returned.

In 2025, that renewed energy aligned perfectly at the Oregon State USBC Open Championships.

A Perfect Game and a Perfect Weekend

Koster’s performance was the result of timing, preparation, and intuition. Just weeks before the tournament, she adjusted her grip span and made other technical changes. She also picked up a brand-new ball—one she had never thrown before competition began.

“During doubles, I started with one ball, but it wasn’t working,” she said. “I texted Luke Stone, who had drilled a new ball for me, and I decided to give it a try. The rest of the weekend? That’s the ball I used.”

The decision paid off. Her scores in singles and all-events were not only competitive—they were unbeatable. They held firm for the remaining five weeks of the tournament, despite strong challenges from Oregon legends like John West.

Along the way, Koster rolled a 300 game, her first ever in an Oregon State tournament—and an emotional moment for a very personal reason.

“My dad passed away in January,” she said. “He never got to see me throw a perfect game. I was overwhelmed—after the 12th strike, I covered my face. That one was for him.”

Winning Quietly—and Proudly

Koster credits her teammates for supporting her—without ever mentioning the scores she was putting up.

“They never said a word,” she laughed. “Which is exactly what I needed. I just stayed in the zone and tried not to look up. I started noticing people stopping to watch, phones coming out… I just kept my head down and focused on making good shots.”

When asked how it felt to be the first woman to win these Division 1 titles, she didn’t hold back. “Any time I can compete against the guys and come out on top—it feels great. I’ve done it my whole life. I want them to know I’ll always be in the field.”

Advice to the Next Generation

Koster now hopes her achievement inspires a new wave of female bowlers to dream bigger—and aim higher.

“To any teenage girl out there starting to bowl: don’t give up. Work on your mental game. That’s the part that’s harder than the physical side, especially when competing against men. You can’t show emotion—they’ll use it.”