The year 12 student, 17, is as determined as they come and will not settle for second best as he tackles the 20-kilometre bike ride, 500-metre swim and five-kilometre run against the nation's top juniors.

Butler is still on the comeback trail after missing almost a year with two fractured bones in his back caused by repetitive boxing training. It was a great effort for the Gisborne triathlete to merely make the state team after he sat out of sport for almost a year.

"I took my X-rays to two doctors and they couldn't find a problem," he said.

"It was only when I went to see a third doctor I was diagnosed with two stress fractures.

"It was frustrating as I had to take almost eight months off."

Butler admits his body is still not 100 per cent.

He will lag in the run leg, but declared he is the teen to beat in the bike and is working up to his best in the pool.

"I'm ready," he said. "I'll try and do a PB."

Butler's selection came on the back of some fine results at a series of Triathlon Victoria-sanctioned events.

Victoria will take a 35-strong team scattered throughout the boys and girls sections of three age groups.

This is Butler's chance to improve on his 15th place in the intermediate division two years ago and put the injury behind him once and for all.

When he races on the weekend of March 17-19, he will do so after receiving priceless advice from Sunbury Cycling Club member Chris Steffanoni and Gisborne swimming coach Wayne Wilson.

He also wants to win for his parents, Angela and David - his greatest fans.