Dang Secures Spot on U.S. Men's Senior National Team, Three Illini Compete at 2026 Xfinity U.S. Championships

PHOENIX – Brandon Dang and Garrett Schooley both earned spots on the podium at the two-day 2026 Xfinity U.S. Championships in Phoenix, Ariz. Dang secured silver on pommel horse for the second straight year, while Schooley took home bronze on vault.

With his performance, Dang was named to the U.S. Senior National Team and was also tabbed with an international assignment to the Paris World Challenge Cup in September. Dang is joined on the U.S. Senior National Team by Crew Bold, Taylor Burkhart, Asher Cohen, Asher Hong, Patrick Hoopes, Josh Karnes, Cooper Kim, Danila Leykin, Yul Moldauer, Kameron Nelson, Frederick Richard, David Shamah, Donnell Whittenburg, and Shane Wiskus.

Dang will represent Team USA at the Paris World Challenge Cup from Sept. 26-27 in Paris, France. He will compete alongside fellow Americans Crew Bold and Cooper Kim.

Continuing his time with the U.S. Senior National Team, Dang has claimed six international assignments, with the most recent instance coming at the 2026 Cottbus World Cup in Germany in February.

Rising junior Hasan Aydogdu, who finished seventh on still rings and 11th place on all-around at the U.S. Championships, was named to the U.S. Senior Development Team.

ILLINI AT 2026 XFINITY U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hasan Aydogdu
All-Around: 11th place (156.910)
Floor: 10th place (26.850)
Pommel horse: 32nd place (21.950)
Still rings: Seventh place (28.060)
Vault: 26.750
Parallel bars: 17th place (26.650)
High bar: Ninth place (26.650)

Brandon Dang
Pommel horse: Second place (30.243)

Garrett Schooley
Floor: 15th place (26.150)
Still rings: 15th place (25.700)
Vault: Third place (14.421)

Schedule