Former star Cal Poly track-and-field runner Shelby Daniele dies

A Cal Poly student who was a standout member of the track-and-field team has died, according to a social media post from the university’s track-and-field team.

Shelby Daniele had been a top performer on the track-and-field team since 2020. She holds the school record in the women’s indoor 200-meter and is a six-time All-Big West honoree and a two-time Big West champion, according to Cal Poly.

The Cal Poly track-and-field team called her “an incredible teammate and leader,” in a post on Instagram.

Daniele finished second in the 200-meter at the Big West Championships this past season. She also received Big West All-Academic honors and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition.

“Cal Poly Athletics was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Cal Poly student-athlete Shelby Daniele,” the team said in its Instagram post. “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 cared deeply for those around her, had a remarkable heart and was a role model for so many,” the post said. “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.”

After completing four years at Cal Poly, Daniele was pursuing a graduate degree.

A cause of death has not been released.

Cal Poly student was a star athlete at Clovis high school

Daniele graduated from Buchanan High School in 2019.

“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!” Buchanan Track and Field said in a post on Facebook.

“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,” Buchanan Track and Field added on its social media post.

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