The 23-year-old former Cal Poly track and field standout Shelby Daniele has passed away. The father of another Cal Poly athlete, Brian Brandenburg, revealed the reason behind her untimely death in a moving Facebook post last week.
In addition to highlighting Daniele’s influence on his family, Brandenburg’s post on National Daughters Day celebrated his daughters and referred to Daniele as the “driving force” who encouraged his daughter Eva to join the university’s running team.
Daniele, known for her exceptional speed and determination, was deeply admired by her teammates and fellow athletes.
“My joy is crushed tonight. The young lady that was the driving force in Eva’s decision to run Track at Cal Poly, Shelby Daniele, passed away last night of a brain aneurism,” Brandenburg wrote.
“Completely heartbreaking. This is Eva’s 3rd day of classes and practice. Hug your children every time you can and tell them you love them every day. Please say a prayer for Shelby and her family.”
What is a brain aneurism?
A brain aneurysm is a severe condition caused by a bulge in a weakened area of a blood vessel in the brain, which can be life-threatening if it ruptures. According to the Cleveland Clinic, aneurysms can occur in anyone but are more prevalent in women, and symptoms vary depending on the state of the aneurysm.
In 2023, Daniele earned her bachelor’s degree in agriculture, and she recently celebrated receiving honors for her master’s degree from Cal Poly. Alongside her parents, she was seen grinning broadly as they celebrated her academic accomplishment.
Daniele broke numerous records during her athletic career. Her time of 24.69 seconds for the indoor 200 meters is the school record.
With a time of 11.58 seconds, she also holds the second-fastest all-time records for the outdoor 100-meter and indoor 60-meter events. In the 2024 Big West Championships, she finished second in the 200-meter event.
