The wall lists the 1984, 1992, 1996 and now 2000 Olympic teams. Some of the new names added at the Trials, held Aug. 9-16, appear on several other teams. One name, Dara Torres, even appears on the 1984 list. Other names are new and relatively unknown -- names only the swimmers themselves and maybe their coaches and teammates would have ever expected to see up there. Names like Klete Keller, Rada Owen, Pat Calhoun, Kim Black, Michael Phelps and Samantha Arsenault.

Other names tell stories of struggle and redemption: backstroker B.J. Bedford, who has narrowly missed making the team trials after trials despite being one of the best backstrokers in the world. Or breaststroker Kristy Kowal, who was third at the last Trials and third by .01 in her first event at this meet. Or distance stars Chad Carvin and Diana Munz, who proved once again that no physical ailments or accidents can keep them down.

Then there are the names that are notable by their absence: Kurt Grote, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, who was hindered by a knee injury here. Or Beth Botsford, a double gold medalist in 1996, who sprained her ankle a week before the meet.

Or 1992 Olympian Dr. Ron Karnaugh, striving to make the team at age 34, who led the 200 IM until the last 40 meters.

And of course the record-setting, purely outstanding performances: Gary Hall Jr.'s 50 free American record, the second-fastest time ever, which won him the Performance of the Meet award.

Torres, who at 33 came back from a seven-year retirement and with one year of training, set an American record and made the team in relays and three individual events.

Erik Vendt's 1,500 American record, where the 18-year-old crept up on U.S. record pace for the first half of the race to smash the 16-year-old mark at the end.

And others who set American and trials records, including Megan Quann, Neil Walker, Ed Moses, Ian Crocker and Josh Davis.

The speaker who addressed the crowd on the final night of the competition was Roque Santos, a 1992 Olympian. Santos' words likely touched the hearts of all the swimmers in attendance, ringing true for those who had made the team and offering hope for those who did not. Santos spoke of going to watch the trials in Irvine, Calif. when he was 12 and dreaming of making the team.

"Dreams can come true," said Santos. "Dreams do come true."

Kari Lyderson, a contributing editor to Swimming World , writes for The Washington Post.