Ex Cal Poly track and field star Shelby Daniele dies suddenly just months after graduating with master’s degree

A FORMER track and field star has died suddenly – just months after graduating with a master’s degree.

Tributes have been paid to Shelby Daniele, a former athlete at California Polytechnic State University.

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Her death was announced in a heartbreaking Instagram post on Thursday.

Shelby, 23, was hailed as an “exceptional student-athlete” and an “incredible leader.”

“Shelby was truly one of a kind and will be missed dearly by everyone in the Cal Poly community,” the team said.

They revealed her death would leave a “gigantic hole” in their hearts.

The touching tribute accompanied a picture showing her competing in track and field events.

Her cause of death remains unknown.

Shelby started studying agriculture at Cal Poly in 2019, telling the school that she wanted to attend because it was closer to her parents near Fresno than Cal State Fullerton, where she also considered enrolling.

“I believe it’s the best school for me to grow in academics and athletics, and it’s a place I feel I would be comfortable at because it’s so close to home,” she said .

During her time as a student athlete, Shelby became the record holder for the indoor 200-meter sprint, clocking a time of 24.69 seconds.

She recorded the second fastest time for the indoor 60-meter dash and 100-meter sprint.

Shelby is tied in third place all-time in the women’s outdoor 200-meter sprint.

She graduated with a bachelor’s in agriculture in 2023 and earned her master’s in agriculture this June, when her father, Daniel, paid a touching tribute online.

She was seen beaming as she posed alongside her parents for a snap , writing, “Congratulations to my daughter Shelby Daniele for graduating with her masters degree from Cal poly.”

In her athletics profile, Shelby said she’d gone into agricultural studies so she could use her career to “improve the environment and give back to our society.”

TOUCHING TRIBUTES

Her former high school, Buchanan, has led the tributes to the student-athlete.

“Shelby was a standout track athlete! No one will ever forget that day in May of 2019 when Shelby upset the field at the CA State Meet to win the 200-meter individual title, helping to secure the team win with her girls,” a post on Facebook said.

“Shelby was a fantastic athlete, going on to Cal Poly to continue to break records in track, but she will be remembered by her teammates and coaches as an even more amazing person.

“As coaches, we will always appreciate the time she took to stop by the track when she was back in town to say hi to everyone.

“This loss leaves a gigantic hole in so many hearts, and we will never forget the amazing woman that Shelby was.”

Shelby’s teammates have also paid their own tributes.

Brianna Maroney described her as an “amazing” person.

“Shelby inspired me every day she showed up at the track,” she said.

“So proud to have been her teammate.”

Netflix star Kevin Fernandez, who appeared on the hit show The Circle, described Shelby as “the most dedicated individual.”

Sierra Brill, a coach at the University of San Francisco Athletics, said she had “no words” after learning of Shelby’s death.

“Shelby was a beautiful human and an amazing teammate,” she said.

“Always a gracious competitor.”