BOUNTIFUL — Kyler Hodgson knows he has a target on his back.

Every time the Bountiful High junior gets to the starting blocks he is the favorite to win the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke.

That’s fine with him.

“I don’t mind the pressure,” Hodgson said after winning both events at the Region 5 swim championships Thursday in Logan.

Hodgson took the 100 butterfly in 54.02 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.47.

“I felt pretty comfortable because I had already gone against the people in the meet,” Hodgson said.

“I just went out and tried to get my best times.”

His times were good enough to rank him No. 1 in the butterfly and No. 2 in the breaststroke for the 4A state meet.

“I thought my starts were a little off so I’ll work on that area over the next two weeks before state,” he said.

“I’ll do that and focus on my stroke and techniques.”

Hodgson credits his coaches, Kim Austin at Bountiful and club coach Steve Doman for his success.

“My coaches do a great job of motivating me, especially when I’m tired and don’t want to go to a 5:30 in the morning practice or if I’m tired in the afternoon.”

With state on the horizon, Hodgson said, “If I swim my best, I’ll have a shot at winning.”

sschulte@davisclipper.com