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Former Cal Poly track and field star Shelby Daniele died Wednesday just months after she celebrated receiving her master’s degree, the university announced.
A cause of death was not revealed.
Daniele, 23, earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 2023 at California Polytechnic State University while starring on the school’s track and field team.
The Cal Polytechnical Institute sprinter competed for the Mustangs for five years between 2020 and 2024.
In June, Daniele posed with a large smile alongside her parents as she celebrated graduating with her master’s degree in agriculture with distinction.
“Cal Poly Athletics was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Cal Poly student-athlete Shelby Daniele,” the school’s Track and Field team shared on Instagram on Friday.
“Shelby was an exceptional student-athlete on the Cal Poly track and field team for five years, the school said. “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. 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,” the school concluded.
Daniele holds the Mustangs program record for the fastest indoor 200m at 24.69 seconds.
She is also the second fastest all-time in school history in the indoor 60m and the 100m with a time of 11.58.
She placed second in the 200m at the 2024 Big West Championships.
In her final collegiate event, Daniele finished 43rd with a wind-aided time of 23.65 at the NCAA West Preliminaries in Arkansas on May 23.
Before attending Cal Poly, the Clovis, Calif. native was a rising star at Buchanan High School.
Daniele won the CIF State title in the 200m individual race with a time of 23.73 seconds during her senior year.
“She was an extremely, extremely fierce competitor but had so much love and joy for every person that she was around,” Weaver told YourCentralValley.
Daniele worked as a Field Assistant Manager alongside her family at Jalonen Ranches, a family-owned almond and walnut ranch in Caruthers, Calif., according to her LinkedIn profile.
She pursued a career in agriculture, “so that I can improve the environment and give back to our society.”
Daniele’s sister paid tribute to her “best friend.”
“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 Reichman wrote on Instagram.
“I so wish I could have lived the rest of our lives together, but things will be different now 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 love you forever baby girl,” the grieving sister added.
Daniele’s family held a candlelight memorial service for her at sunset Friday night at Buchanan High School, according to a Facebook post.
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