As he won a state title, Potosi runner lost his home

Jacob Swearingen was still catching his breath after winning a state high school cross country championship when he found out his home was gone.
His family's house in Potosi was destroyed in an afternoon fire just hours before he crossed the finish line.

"It was as if someone had pulled the rug out from under him," Jacob's stepfather, Tim Busse, told the Daily Journal for a story Tuesday. "Five minutes after he won the state championship for the second time in a row, Nick’s sister got a call from people down the road."

Swearingen, a back-to-back winner of the Class 2 state title, and family members are looking to rebuild with the help of community members. Two funds have been set up to help the effort; the small home shared by Jacob, his parents and two brothers wasn't insured.

The funds:

Belgrade State Bank, 306 North Missouri Street, Potosi, 63664. Make checks to Belgrade State Bank or the Jacob Busse family.

Unico Bank, P.O. Box 398, Potosi, 63664. Make checks to Unico Bank or Swearingen-Busse Relief Fund.

Amid the rubble, the family found only a few of Jacob's medals from a string of cross country wins since the first grade, but all of them were either melted or destroyed.

The family welcomes household items, furniture or other items to help rebuild. To help, call 573-637-2664.