Shelby Daniele, former Cal Poly track and field star, dies at 23

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA: Tributes poured in for the former Cal Poly track and field star athlete Shelby Daniele after her death at age 23. No cause of death has yet been provided.

The heartbreaking news was announced by the Cal Poly Track and Field/Cross Country on their Instagram page. 

The young athlete’s former institution, Buchanan High School also paid respects to the late athlete.

Shelby Daniele was record-breaking standout from Cal Poly

Born in 2001, Shelby Daniele joined California Polytechnic State University in 2019 as an agriculture student. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2023, she got herself enrolled in the master’s degree in agricultural studies and earned her degree in spring 2024.

During her five-year stint at Cal Poly, the sprinter broke several program records, per Mustang News. 

Per the outlet, Daniele holds the school record in the women’s indoor 200-meter (24.69), the No. 2 time in the women’s indoor 60-meter (7.62), and tied No 2 in the women’s 100-meter (11.59).

She was also a six-time All-Big West honoree and two-time Big West champion. In 2024, she was placed second in the 200-meter and helped the Mustang women clinch their second conference title in the 2024 Big West Track & Field Championships.

The Cal Poly Track and Field group announced the news on their Instagram, writing, “Cal Poly Athletics was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Cal Poly student-athlete Shelby Daniele.”

They continued to praise the athlete, writing, “Shelby was an exceptional student-athlete on the Cal Poly track and field team for five years, graduating from Cal Poly this spring with her master’s in agriculture with distinction.”

“She was a six-time All-Big West honoree, a two-time Big West champion, a team captain and is a school record holder, but more importantly she was an incredible teammate and leader,” wrote her team. 

Moreover, they praised the budding star’s behavior, writing, “She cared deeply for those around her, had a remarkable heart and was a role model for so many.”

“Shelby was truly one of a kind and will be missed dearly by everyone in the Cal Poly community. Our condolences go out to her family and friends 💚💛,” concluded her former team. 

Before joining Cal Poly, Daniele was a star athlete in her alma mater Buchanan High School as well. 

In 2019, Daniele won the CIF State championship in the 200 meters, along with winning the Tri-River Athletic Conference and Central Section in the 200m. Her coaches from Buchanan High School also mourned her death by penning a heartbreaking post on Facebook. 

They wrote, “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Shelby Daniele. Shelby was a former Century Tiger, Alta Sierra Bruin and Buchanan Bear.”

Her coaches continued, “During her time at all three schools, 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!”

“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,” continued the heartbroken mentors. 

They added, “ 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 ❤️.”

Internet mourns Shelby Daniele's death 

Shelby Daniele's friends, teammates, and other Internet users took to social media to pay tributes to her while mourning the track and field athlete's tragic death. 

One of the social media users said on Instagram, "Absolutely no words. Shelby was a beautiful human and an amazing teammate. Always a gracious competitor. Rest in peace, Shelby."

"Such an amazing person and athlete that truly lifted up everyone around her❤️ Shelby inspired me every day she showed up at the track. So proud to have been her teammate," said one of her former teammates.

Someone else added, "Such a beautiful soul inside & out 💚💚💚 rest easy shelby!"

Another social media user chimed in, "Such a blessing to experience the great athlete and person she was. Praying for her family and loved ones❤️."

"Truly blessed to have been her teammate. Sending prayers 💚💛," said another teammate of Daniele. 

"Truly one of a Kind 🤍✨ we all love and miss you," said another user.

Someone else mourned, "My sincere condolences to her family and friends and teammates, may she rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏🙏."

"Truly the most dedicated and hardworking individual to the program. Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in Peace Shelby," said another person.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.