Former Cal Poly track star Shelby Daniele died suddenly Wednesday at the age of 23, just months after receiving her master’s degree from the university.
Daniele, who broke Cal Poly’s indoor 200m record last year with a time of 24.69 seconds, competed for the Mustangs for five years, from 2020-2024.
While at California Polytechnic State University, the talented sprinter earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 2023, before earning a master’s degree in June.
However, just over three months later, the university announced that Daniele had tragically passed away.
“Cal Poly Athletics was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Cal Poly student-athlete Shelby Daniele,” the statement said.
Former Cal Poly track star Shelby Daniele died Wednesday at the age of 23.
‘Shelby was an exceptional student-athlete on the Cal Poly track team for five years, and graduated from Cal Poly this spring with her master’s degree in agriculture with distinction.
‘She was a six-time All-Big West honoree, two-time Big West champion, team captain and school record holder, but most importantly she was an incredible teammate and leader. She cared deeply about those around her, had an extraordinary heart, and was a role model to many.
‘Shelby was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed by everyone in the Cal Poly community. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Daniele’s father, Daniel, shared a photo of him and his wife Kim standing proudly next to their daughter Shelby after her graduation from Cal Poly on June 15.
In what turned out to be her final collegiate race, the Mustangs sprinter finished 43rd with a wind-aided time of 23.65 at the NCAA West Prelims in Arkansas on May 23.
In addition to holding the fasted indoor 200m record at Cal Poly, Daniele also has the school’s second-fastest time in the indoor 60m (7.62 seconds) and 100m (11.58 seconds).
Daniele, pictured with mom Kim and dad Daniel, earned her master’s degree in June.
The Cal Poly sprinter holds the school record for the indoor 200 meters with a time of 24.69 seconds.
He also spent time working on the family’s almond and walnut ranch in California.
The California native, who attended Buchanan High School before heading to Cal Poly, also worked as an assistant field manager alongside her family at Jalonen Ranches, the family’s almond and walnut ranch in Caruthers.
His family is said to have held a candlelight memorial service in his memory at Buchanan High School on Friday night.
Daniele’s sister, Jessica Reichman, also paid tribute to her sister in a heartbreaking post following her death this week.
‘My worst nightmare happened this morning, September 25, 2024. My sister, my best friend, left Earth to be with God. “Too soon and too fast and I will never understand why, but she is where she is supposed to be now,” Jessica wrote on Instagram.
“I would have liked to have lived the rest of our lives together, but now things will be different and we will get through it. You were the light in everyone’s life and it’s hard to believe. I can’t talk to you anymore. I will love you forever, girl. ‘