Former Cal Poly track and field star Shelby Daniele dies suddenly, just months after receiving his master's degree

A FORMER track and field star has died suddenly – just months after completing his master's degree.

Shelby Daniele, a former California Polytechnic State University athlete, was honored.

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

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

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

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

The touching tribute was accompanied by a picture of her competing in athletics.

Her cause of death remains unknown.

Shelby began studying at Cal Poly in 2019, pursuing a bachelor's degree in agriculture.

During her time in college, she was the record holder in the indoor 200-meter dash with a time of 24.69 seconds, according to Mustang News.

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

Shelby then completed postgraduate studies in agriculture.

She graduated in June and her father Daniel shared a touching tribute to her online.

She beamed as she posed for a snap alongside her parents.

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

“Shelby was an outstanding track and field athlete! “No one will ever forget that day in May 2019 when Shelby tore up the field at the CA State Meet and won the 200-meter individual title, helping secure the team victory with her girls,” he said in the post on Facebook.

“Shelby was an amazing athlete and went to Cal Poly to continue breaking track and field records, but her teammates and coaches will remember her as an even more amazing person.”

“As coaches, we will always appreciate her taking the time to stop by the track and say hello to everyone upon her return to town.”

TOUCHING TRIBUTE

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

Shelby's teammates also paid their own tributes.

Brianna Maroney described her as an “amazing” person.

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

“So proud to have been her teammate.”

Netflix star Kevin Fernandez, who appeared in the hit series The Circle, described Shelby as “the most dedicated human being.”

Sierra Brill, a coach at the University of San Francisco athletics, said she was “at a loss for words” after learning of Shelby's death.

“Shelby was a wonderful person and a great teammate,” she said.

“Always a gracious competitor.”