PHOTO GALLERY: Potosi High School running champion loses home in fire

By: Cordell Whitlock

KSDK -- A two-time Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure champion is dealing with tragedy.

• Photo Gallery: Running champion loses home to fire

18 year old Jacob Swearingen won his second Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure this year, and competed for a second straight state cross country championship on Saturday in Jefferson City. "From the get go you could see he was out to win and prove everybody wrong", said Jacob's stepfather Timothy Busse.

Jacob won handily. "I was shocked. I just did it again wow."

While Jacob was winning his race, his family's home was burning to the ground just outside Potosi. Firefighters say an electrical problem was to blame. Jacob's stepfather received a phone call minutes after Saturday's race. "One minute he was at the top of the world and the next minute it was like someone punched him in the gut. The lowest of low. It was a tough day," Busse said.

Jacob lost every medal and trophy he's won since 1st grade including his recognition from Komen Race For The Cure. "Komen was more for my family and a little more important because both my grandma and great grandma had breast cancer and it just meant a lot more to me, " said Jacob.

The Potosi High School senior still has college to look forward to.
His stepfather says despite the family's loss he's grateful no one was home on Saturday morning. "I have my 3 sons healthy and my wife and myself and that's all I can ask for".

Jacob will be running for Rend Lake College in Illinois next fall. His stepfather does not have insurance and a fund has been set up at Belgrade State Bank.

Anyone interested in donating to the family can call (573)330-2434.