Promising Young Athlete Remembered

Shel­by Daniele, a for­mer sprint­er for the Cal­i­for­nia Poly­tech­nic State Uni­ver­si­ty track and field team, has died at the young age of 23.

Daniele had just recent­ly cel­e­brat­ed receiv­ing her mas­ter’s degree in agri­cul­ture with dis­tinc­tion, mak­ing her sud­den pass­ing all the more heartbreaking.

Decorated Collegiate Career

Dur­ing her five-year tenure with the Cal Poly Mus­tangs, Daniele estab­lished her­self as one of the pro­gram’s most accom­plished athletes. 

She was a six-time All-Big West hon­oree, a two-time Big West cham­pi­on, and held sev­er­al school records, includ­ing the fastest indoor 200m time.

Tributes from the University

Cal Poly Ath­let­ics expressed their pro­found sad­ness over Daniele’s pass­ing, describ­ing her as an “excep­tion­al stu­dent-ath­lete” and “incred­i­ble team­mate and leader” who was “tru­ly one of a kind.” The school empha­sized her excep­tion­al char­ac­ter and the last­ing impact she had on the entire community.

A Life Cut Tragically Short

Daniele’s sud­den death at just 23 years old has left her fam­i­ly, friends, and the Cal Poly com­mu­ni­ty devastated. 

As they mourn the loss of this vibrant young woman, the focus will be on hon­or­ing her mem­o­ry and cel­e­brat­ing the remark­able accom­plish­ments she achieved dur­ing her time as a Mustang.