From 1977 through 1980, Patti Miller made hers a familiar face at the Wyoming State Swim meet. Along the way she set both school and state records in her specialty, the 100 Butterfly. As a sophomore, swimmer Miller stood atop the awards stand with a gold medal finish while setting a state record. She also added second place finishes in each of her other three years as a Lady Puncher.
As a team player, Patti also helped the Puncher team to a championship in the 200 Medley Relay during her senior year. In her first two seasons as a swimmer, this relay finished second in the event and a fourth place finish for the relay in her junior year.
During her four years of swimming for the Punchers, Big Piney never finished less than third place and nearly won the championship in 1977 losing by a mere three points in their runner-up finish